Depression is a psychological mood disorder characterized by such symptoms as depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, sleep disturbances, and even suicidal thoughts. It is believed that depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters like Serotonin, this imbalance can come from many things that include using Stimulant drugs such as methamphetamines, alcohol, physical illness, hormonal disorder or even hormonal changes during pregnancy before childbirth or after. Depression is more common in women but does affect men in the same way. Depression has been known to run in families, proposing that there could be hereditary genetic mutations involved with the reoccurrence of the disorder. When the brains of humans who were depressed
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It is seen more frequently in women who have sick infants that stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), in fact mothers of premature infants are 40 percent more likely to develop PPD. This type of depression has severe negative consequences that not only affect the mother but also could have an affect on the child. Symptoms of postpartum depression include loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability and anger, overwhelming fatigue, lack of joy in life, difficulty bonding with the infant, and even thoughts or attempting to harm yourself or the infant. According to the International Journal of Women’s Health, infants with mothers who have postpartum depression were found to be more irritable, avoidant, and made fewer positive facial expressions and vocalizations, and were not as responsive as infants with mothers that were not depressed. Research has shown that even after the babies were discharged from the NICU they continued to show long lasting developmental effects throughout their adolescent years. These children were more likely to have behavioral problems at home and in school; it has been proven that most children with a depressed mother even have a lower IQ score during adolescent years. Mothers with postpartum Depression also experienced long term psychological effects. They had a more difficult time parenting, which in most cases led to more child …show more content…
The NICU can be a very stressful place for a new mother due to the unfamiliarity, sights, lighting, sounds, and the infant’s appearance. Admission into the NICU can be a financial burden as well, which can cause more stress for the parents. Most women tend to have a feeling of inadequacy and blame themselves for not delivering a healthy child. The role of a NICU nurse can play a huge role in preventing postpartum depression from escalating from the time of birth. Nurses have the opportunity to observe and identify if any mothers could benefit from having further services and or extra support. Nurses are also able to answer any questions to the best of their ability that the mother might have about her child. Postpartum depression should continue to be studied until evidence of a main cause is found and a cure is found. This type of depression negatively affects many lives, including innocent babies and children. It is important to understand why some women tend to acquire these feelings after giving birth to prevent the increase in the amount of women who are affected by postpartum
It is seen more frequently in women who have sick infants that stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), in fact mothers of premature infants are 40 percent more likely to develop PPD. This type of depression has severe negative consequences that not only affect the mother but also could have an affect on the child. Symptoms of postpartum depression include loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability and anger, overwhelming fatigue, lack of joy in life, difficulty bonding with the infant, and even thoughts or attempting to harm yourself or the infant. According to the International Journal of Women’s Health, infants with mothers who have postpartum depression were found to be more irritable, avoidant, and made fewer positive facial expressions and vocalizations, and were not as responsive as infants with mothers that were not depressed. Research has shown that even after the babies were discharged from the NICU they continued to show long lasting developmental effects throughout their adolescent years. These children were more likely to have behavioral problems at home and in school; it has been proven that most children with a depressed mother even have a lower IQ score during adolescent years. Mothers with postpartum Depression also experienced long term psychological effects. They had a more difficult time parenting, which in most cases led to more child …show more content…
The NICU can be a very stressful place for a new mother due to the unfamiliarity, sights, lighting, sounds, and the infant’s appearance. Admission into the NICU can be a financial burden as well, which can cause more stress for the parents. Most women tend to have a feeling of inadequacy and blame themselves for not delivering a healthy child. The role of a NICU nurse can play a huge role in preventing postpartum depression from escalating from the time of birth. Nurses have the opportunity to observe and identify if any mothers could benefit from having further services and or extra support. Nurses are also able to answer any questions to the best of their ability that the mother might have about her child. Postpartum depression should continue to be studied until evidence of a main cause is found and a cure is found. This type of depression negatively affects many lives, including innocent babies and children. It is important to understand why some women tend to acquire these feelings after giving birth to prevent the increase in the amount of women who are affected by postpartum