| Post partum depression is a condition that manifests | | | | forced to manage the affects of these stressful |
| itself in women following the birth of a child. The most | | | | events by herself. This eventually causes the mother |
| notable symptoms experienced by sufferers of post | | | | to shift her energy to satisfy the demands of pure |
| partum depression include sleeping disturbances, | | | | survival as an alternative to totally expending her |
| recurrent sadness, loss of appetite, loss of energy, | | | | energy into a new being that may be considered |
| hopelessness, frustration, exhaustion, guilt, low self | | | | expendable in that over stressed mental state. |
| esteem, social withdrawal, and many other negative | | | | The mothers suffering post partum depression |
| experiences. | | | | demonstrate a higher degree of negative emotions |
| The key symptom contributing to the classification of | | | | and lesser degree of positive emotions toward their |
| this type of depression is feeling lack of affection for | | | | children. Subconsciously their responses to child's |
| the new born baby. Experts contribute a variety of | | | | needs are significantly negative. |
| views regarding facts that you should know about | | | | Prevention |
| post partum depression. | | | | When observed and diagnosed in the early stages, |
| Risk Factors | | | | intervention can successfully treat and eliminate the |
| Although much time and effort has been expended | | | | condition. The prognosis for a complete recovery is |
| trying to unlock the secrets of this condition, no | | | | good when professional assistance is sought and put |
| definitive single factor can be identified that in itself | | | | into practice. A key component of the treatment |
| leads to post partum depression. Several issues have | | | | involves educating the women about the causes and |
| been singled out as important factors that contribute in | | | | effects associated with post partum depression. |
| part to the condition. These include prenatal depression, | | | | Support groups can be found in most large towns and |
| lack of self esteem, prenatal anxiety, and chronic | | | | cities where the self-help groups work in unison with |
| conflict with a spouse. | | | | the medical community to provide highly important |
| Other known conditions that may contribute to the | | | | social support. Women either pregnant or planning to |
| ailment might also include a perceived lack of social | | | | become pregnant should be screened regularly by |
| support, a history of depression within the family, low | | | | their health practitioners so that the early detection is |
| social status and even the fact that the pregnancy | | | | possible. In Canada, the screening test is conducted by |
| was not a planned event. As if this list of potential | | | | professional public health nurses. |
| factors is not long enough, several other issues are | | | | Treatment |
| known factors common to post partum depression | | | | In summary, post partum depression is treatable. |
| sufferers. Additionally, mother's race, social class or | | | | Medical evaluation of women that are exhibiting some |
| sexual orientation have been noted conditions that are | | | | of the signs of the condition is a necessity. Early |
| common to many sufferers. | | | | detection is key to successful treatment to realise |
| The Evolutionary Hypothesis | | | | short term as well as long term relief from the ailment. |
| Evolutionary theorists believe that post partum | | | | On positive diagnosis, it is commonly recommended |
| depression is an inherent and natural response by the | | | | that the suffering woman undergo cognitive |
| human body. They state that it is the natural response | | | | behavioural therapy, medication, and maintain a healthy |
| of the parents, either human or non-human, to | | | | diet. |
| instinctively decide subconsciously when the potential | | | | In many areas the health practitioners in co-operation |
| benefits outweigh the liabilities of caring for the | | | | with the mother, can determine a treatment plan. |
| offspring. On that basis negative responses to the birth | | | | Although many of the symptoms are similar among |
| may subconsciously exist and as a result natural | | | | most sufferers, the treatment plan needs to be |
| parental care will simply be reduced or totally | | | | specifically individualized for post partum depression. |
| terminated. | | | | The effects of this condition can promote highly |
| A practical example of this hypothesis in action may | | | | undesirable subconscious activity. Recognizing the |
| support that theory. Consider an instance where a | | | | symptoms early and seeking professional assistance |
| mother may experience a lack of social support and is | | | | can save more that one life. |