psychological-problems > what-is-postnatal-depression

to trigger the illness is susceptible people.

The illness may occur due to the effect of hormonal changes after childbirth.
It is more common if mothers have previously suffered with episodes of depression.
It is more common if the baby has been born with an illness or problem.
It is more common if the baby was unplanned or even unwanted.
It is more common if the mother experienced a stressful pregnancy or suffered a stressful life event such as a change/loss of job, house, relationship breakup or death during her pregnancy.
It is thought that there may be genetic links. For example depression may be inherited (passed on through the genes) if suffered by a parent or grandparent.
Like any illness, it can occur for no apparent reason.

It can not be emphasized enough that suffering with depression is an ILLNESS and is NOT in any way, shape or form a sign of WEAKNESS.

There are definite changes in the brain and the way it works in a depressed person. Research has found that depressed people have higher amounts of stress hormones than normal. Serotonin or 5-HT system (which are the chemical system in the brain) may not be working properly. That is why antidepressants can be an effective treatment to aid the reversal of these chemical changes thus making the person feel better.

Puerperal Psychosis

Thankfully this is very rare and occurs in only 1 in 500 mothers. It is the severest type of the postnatal depression illnesses. This type is more likely to result in a hospital admission and occur in those who have a history of suffering a severe mental illness or have a strong family history of severe mental illness.

This type of postnatal depression comes on suddenly a couple of days to a few weeks after birth and symptoms do vary. However, they do usually include a disturbance in mood. Other symptoms may include any of the following:

The mother is extremely restless, excited or elated and not able to sleep at all.
She may have an episode of Mania - characterized by excessive cheerfulness and increased activity. Her mood is euphoric and changes rapidly to irritability. Her thought and speech are rapid to the point of incoherence and connections between ideas may be impossible to follow.
She may have mood swings from high to low.
She may have delusions which make her thoughts muddled and leads to irrationally held beliefs that cannot be altered by rational argument. A common case that you may of heard of is a mother believing that her baby is seriously ill when the baby is in perfect health.
She may hear voices and see things that aren't there (Hallucinations). Again you may heard of a case of a mother who drowned her baby because she had voices telling her too.

What is clear is that the mothers behaviour will be seen as disturbing and out of character by family and friends. This DOES require treatment from health care professionals and should be reported to the GP or Health Visitor as soon as it is suspected. The treatment depends on the symptoms being suffered but it is usual for a PSYCHIATRIST to be involved in the care. Hence that it is extremely important for mothers with this form of Postnatal Depression to start receiving medical and social support as soon as possible.

(published with permission in writing from:http://www.mummysblue.co.uk)