Postpartum Depression Case Studies

Most new moms experience the baby blues after delivering a child. About one 1 of every 10 of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression after delivery. Approximately 1 in 1,000 women develop more serious conditions, like postpartum psychosis.
A number of factors can increase the risk of postpartum depression, including:
-a history of depression before becoming pregnant
-Age at time of pregnancy (younger mothers are more likely to develop the condition)
-the more children you have the more likely mothers are to develop the condition
- having a history of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
-limited social support
-living alone
-marital conflicts
There are three forms or stages of Postpartum Depression; the first stage
PPD can happen a few weeks or even months after delivery. PPD can happen after any child birth, not just the first child. A woman will have feelings similar to the baby blues, such as sadness, despair, anxiety, and irritability. She may feel them stronger than she would have in the baby blues phase. PPD often keeps women from doing daily tasks. This is when seeing a doctor or physician is necessary for the safety of the mother and baby. A doctor can screen the mother for symptoms related to depression, and develop a plan for treatment. If a woman is not treated for PPD, symptoms can worsen. PPD is a very serious condition, but is easily treatable with the use of medications, and attending therapy.
The third stage of postpartum depression is Postpartum Psychosis. Postpartum Psychosis is a serious mental illness that majorly affects mothers. This illness can happen quickly; often within the first few months following childbirth. Women will lose touch with reality, have auditory hallucinations, delusions, visual hallucinations, and insomnia. Women who have postpartum psychosis may need treatment immediately, and almost always need medications. Sometimes women are hospitalized because they have become a danger to themselves and/or