Postpartum Mood: A Synopsis Of The Study

Synopsis

One study investigated whether changes in biological rhythms associate with postpartum mood, specifically the impact of sleep and biological rhythms on maternal mental health in a population of women at high and low risk for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common maternal birth complication. Approximately 15-20% of mothers experience severe mood disturbances – meeting criteria for depression. This has a pervasive impact on developing infants. There are no biological markers for depression. Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Looking at disturbances in the sleep and circadian systems helps to diagnose depressive and manic episodes. There are two groups that were involved in the experiment. The first group is women who are
The two main symptoms that had to be present in order for someone to be categorized as having a major depressive episode was: 1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, and 2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities. Other symptoms included insomnia, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts, amongst many others. These symptoms reminded me of another disorder – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD are similar to those of PPD. This brings to mind the question whether both PPD and PTSD patients have the same section of the brain that is being stimulated. Although both disorders are brought upon by different circumstances, does the fact that they share symptoms mean that they are similar in terms of how they affect a person? How does PTSD affect an individual’s sleep and circadian systems? The similarities and differences between PPD and PTSD are important to understand because it further reveals the inner workings of the