Postpartum Depression Linked to Poorer Parenting Behavior

Caring for an infant is challenging for any mother, but it may become much bigger a challenge for women suffering from postnatal depression (PND), which may lead to adverse effects on the child. This depressed mental state may appear gradually or all of a sudden, and can range from being mild to strong. Symptoms of PND may appear during the first six weeks after giving birth, but can continue even up to six months later.

Some new moms also experience “baby blues” — a short period of feeling emotional and tearful starting a couple of days after birth and lasting a few hours or days. This condition can be overcome by emotional help and does not normally require medical intervention.

Sadly, some new moms cannot differentiate between baby blues and PND, which is a more serious (and very different) illness, with sufferers often displaying poorer parenting behaviors. The symptoms of PND include hallucinations, delusional thinking and disruption of perception, emotions and behavior, and if suspected, medical help should be sought as a matter of urgency. For some women, PND can seem very isolating — making new moms feel down and unwilling to admit that they might need treatment for depression.

What causes PND?

PND can affect a mom regardless of the fact that she may have managed happily with her first baby. Although there is no single answer as to why some women are affected by PND, the following points definitely shed some light on this widespread problem:

Stress related to parenthood: Although parenthood can be both rewarding and fulfilling, new moms can find themselves exhausted under the stress and daily pressure of being a parent.

Anxiety: A new mom can develop postpartum anxiety that can have an effect on the body and mind.

Antenatal depression: Any feelings of low mood, depression or anxiety before or during pregnancy also make a woman more vulnerable to PND.

According to a 2014 study by researchers at the University of New South Wales, which was published in journal PLOS ONE, Oxytocin — a hormone that plays important roles in labor and breast-feeding — seems to have significant effects on parenting. Scientists took blood samples from more than 100 pregnant women at Liverpool hospital. The finding revealed that women who have trouble bonding with their mothers are more likely to suffer from low levels of oxytocin after they deliver, leaving them struggling to bond with their own children.

For the first time, a link was established between oxytocin and feeling of depression, a condition where new moms constantly check on their babies and worry something bad might happen to them.

“The immediate postpartum results show that what you experienced from parenting — these formative experiences — are critical in wiring your response to the oxytocin hormone,” lead author of the study, Professor Valsamma Eapen, said.

Making help available

PND is a common disorder, but women might feel reluctant to seek help and reveal any negative feelings regarding parenthood. Children whose mothers experience PND might suffer increased rates of psychiatric disorders and developmental problems. However, timely interventions for mothers with PND can improve parenting behaviors, while medication can be useful for more severe cases of PND.

If you or someone you know is grappling with PND, experts’ help can be sought. There are many good depression rehab centers that specialize in treating various types of depression, including PND.

http://www.depressiontreatmentcentersofcalifornia.com