Table of Contents
What is believed to be the cause of postpartum affective disorders?
No specific cause of postpartum mood disorders has been determined yet, but there are a few theories. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate wildly during the transition from pregnancy to postpartum (6). Researchers believe that these hormones may play a role in postpartum mood disorders (6).
How does childbirth affect mental health?
Some women find their low mood doesn’t lift after the birth and they become anxious or depressed. Around 1 in 5 women will develop mental health issues when they’re pregnant or in the first year after their baby’s born.
How does maternal depression affect the child?
Toddlers and preschoolers of depressed mothers are at risk for developing poor self-control, internalizing and externalizing problems, and difficulties in cognitive functioning and in social interactions with parents and peers.
How can PND affect others?
Suffering with PND can also place stress upon intimate relationships, and there is evidence to show a moderate correlation between maternal and paternal depression that occurs in the postnatal period. This suggests that if a mother is experiencing PND that the father is more likely to be suffering from depression too.
How does PND affect attachment?
A longitudinal study of children with postnatally depressed mothers found they were more likely to experience insecure mother-child attachment. Furthermore, this insecurity consistently predicted the quality of the child’s social and emotional development from early childhood through to adolescence.
Can postpartum make you crazy?
Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby. It affects around 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth. Many people who have given birth will experience mild mood changes after having a baby, known as the “baby blues”.
How does PND affect family and friends?
Effects on the family Suffering with PND can also place stress upon intimate relationships, and there is evidence to show a moderate correlation between maternal and paternal depression that occurs in the postnatal period.
Does PND improve on its own?
Most women will get better without any treatment within 3 to 6 months. 1 in 4 mothers with PND are still depressed when their child is one-year-old.