Postpartum Depression Affects More than Just Mothers

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=misery-in-motherhood

My Summary:
Postpartum Depression is a condition that plagues women worldwide. While the cause is not fully known, some experts believe that Postpartum Depression is possibly caused by the dramatic hormone fluctuations that occur in a woman after delivery. Whatever the cause, Postpartum Depression can weaken the natural bond between a mother and her child. Studies suggest that a weak bond between mother and child can cause the child to be more passive, insecure and socially inhibited; although in most cases a child’s intellectual development is not affected. Because of this, Psychologists and Psychiatrists focus on strengthening the bond between mother and child when treating Postpartum Depression.
In general, women seem to be most susceptible to depression in their reproductive years. Consequently rates of the disorder are higher in women ages twenty-five to forty-five. New data states that the incidence of depression rises modestly after giving birth. Patricia Dietz of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 10.4 percent of mother had been depressed in the nine months following childbirth and 8.7 percent of women had been depressed in the nine months before pregnancy as well as 6.9 percent during pregnancy. This data suggests that a previous occurrence of depression may be the biggest risk factor in acquiring the illness postpartum.
Of course the hormonal change that occurs after pregnancy does not fully explain postpartum depression. The demands of motherhood may also play a role in the illness. Many women feel exhausted from the lack of sleep and can become overwhelmed by child care duties. But the consequences of depression reach beyond the mother and affect the child. If a mother is overwhelmed by depression it prevents her from properly caring for her child; causing her not to perceive her child’s cries, smiles, gestures and other attempts to communicate with her. Ergo infants of depressed mothers look at their mothers less often and show fewer signs of positive emotion than do babies of mentally healthy moms.
Studies show that infants develop essential social skills in months two through six, building relationships with their mothers as well as other people. A child of a depressed mom may be at risk for social phobia which can be disastrous for their social development. While postpartum gloom does not usually have a long-lasting affect on a child’s development it impairs the child’s ability to bond with its mother and others.
Because of the fear of being judged by family members and others in society, many women shy away from getting treatment for their Postpartum Depression. Many new mothers require medication or Psychotherapy. The newest kind of treatment is that which also involves the child. Psychotherapy involves video intervention therapy which helps mothers to correctly perceive their infant’s behavior by recording and analyzing it. Video intervention therapy also helps mothers to feel better about their actions.
Most mothers can take steps to ease the emotional burden of having a child by asking for help from family and friends. It also helps mothers to sleep more, spend time with their spouse and getting out of the house can also help a depressed mother to not put pressure on herself. Usually mothers who receive adequate treatment recover completely within two months of starting treatment. Some mothers even emerge from their depression with a new sense of clarity and zest for life.
My Opinion: I believe that this article sheds some much needed light on a disease that is often frowned upon in today’s society, especially among Christians. When most people think of Postpartum Depression they think only of the mother. I never really thought about how it could affect the child. I think that many people frown on the illness because of all of the bad press it gets in the news with depressed mothers harming their children and such. This article allowed me to understand the reasons why a mother may become depressed and the alternatives mothers have to combat their depression. I feel a little more enlightened on the subject of Postpartum Depression and will be less inclined to judge it.