Women's Health Australia

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Women's Health Australia
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Post Natal Depression (PND) ?

• Post Natal depression (PND) is an acute
  depressive illness which can occur in the period
  between one and twelve months following the birth
  of a baby. It is estimated that around 16 of
  mothers can be affected. Post Natal Depression is
  often described as being mild, moderate or severe.

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Differentiate between the blues, Post Partum
Psychosis and PND

• The Blues is a common variation of mood which
  occurs between three and ten days after birth.
  Around 80 of new mothers will experience the
  blues early in their post natal period. This
  condition is due to fluctuating hormone levels
  and once these have stabilized, the mothers mood
  improves.

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Symptoms of the Baby Blues

• - Crying on and off
• - Feeling fine one minute and sad the next
• - Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
• - Feelings of extreme emotional sensitivity

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Symptoms of Post Partum Psychosis

• - Confusion, memory loss and thought disturbance
• - Feeling overwhelmed and scared
• - Auditory and visual hallucinations
• - A sense of paranoia
• - Disconnection from reality, including the baby

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Treatment for Post Partum Psychosis

• - Admission to a specialist psychiatric
  hospital for observation and monitoring
• - Anti-psychotic medication
• - Occasionally Electro Convulsant Therapy (ECT)
  or shock therapy is recommended

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Symptoms of Post Natal Depression

• - Overwhelming fatigue, despite obtaining
  adequate sleep.
• - Waking very early in the morning and being
  unable to drop back off to sleep.
• - Low energy levels, poor motivation and lack of
  interest in socializing
• - Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with own
  or the babys cares.
• - Anxiety often in anticipation of the baby
  waking and needing to be attended to.
• - Appetite changes including comfort eating or
  loss of interest in eating. Loss of weight or
  sudden weight gain.
• - Forgetfulness, confusion and mental fog.
• - Panic attacks and feeling overwhelmed by fear.
• - Thoughts of death, suicide, self harm, hurting
  the baby or wanting to end it all.

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What is the Treatment?

• Treatment options vary according to the
  severity of symptoms and the individual woman. If
  a woman has previously had a depressive illness
  and a particular supportive therapy was found to
  be useful, it is likely this will be trialled
  again.

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