Major depression consist of at least one of the symptoms of either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The symptoms for major depression consist of depressed mood, loss of energy, significant weight differences such as more than 5% of body weight in a month, feelings of worthlessness, inability to concentrate, recurrent thoughts of death, insomnia or hypersomnia, and psychomotor agitation. The severity of the depression is determined by the amount of symptoms. However major depression tends to last for at least 2 weeks. Depressive episode may occur in response to stressful events. According to Reichenberg and Seligman (2016) loss or grief can cause symptoms of depression (p. 105). The loss may be related to pregnancy, job, and death of a loved one. Many African
…show more content…
(2015) demonstrate that African American women during pregnancy with heightened levels of anxiety and lacking support, especially the baby’s father’s may lead to depressive symptoms (p. 123). The lack of any support when most needed, in this case pregnancy would induce symptoms of depression. In this case, African American women face various stressors that induce major depression symptoms throughout pregnancy which leads to either preterm birth or low birth weight. African American women are at higher risk for antenatal depression (Wilusz, Peters, and Cassiday-Bushrow, 2014). The aversive side of dealing with multiple stress factors with minimal coping skills may lead mothers to feelings of isolation, loss of control, and tension. Yet, many African American women are underdiagnosed when clinically depressed. Pregnant African American women may choose to seek treatment for perinatal depression through interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness based cognitive therapy, and pharmacotherapy (Goodman, Dimidjian, and Williams, 2013). However, special precaution should be taken when dealing with medications for pregnant
(2015) demonstrate that African American women during pregnancy with heightened levels of anxiety and lacking support, especially the baby’s father’s may lead to depressive symptoms (p. 123). The lack of any support when most needed, in this case pregnancy would induce symptoms of depression. In this case, African American women face various stressors that induce major depression symptoms throughout pregnancy which leads to either preterm birth or low birth weight. African American women are at higher risk for antenatal depression (Wilusz, Peters, and Cassiday-Bushrow, 2014). The aversive side of dealing with multiple stress factors with minimal coping skills may lead mothers to feelings of isolation, loss of control, and tension. Yet, many African American women are underdiagnosed when clinically depressed. Pregnant African American women may choose to seek treatment for perinatal depression through interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness based cognitive therapy, and pharmacotherapy (Goodman, Dimidjian, and Williams, 2013). However, special precaution should be taken when dealing with medications for pregnant