Developmental Psychology (Coursework Sample)

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Developmental Psychology
Name
Instructor’s name
Date
Postpartum depression
Developmental Psychology
Postpartum depression and its potential causes.
Postpartum depression is also known as postnatal depression, and refers to a clinical condition that affect parents after childbirth. The causes of postpartum depression have not been well established. However, there have been a number of risk factors. It is assumed that hormonal change is one of the causes of postpartum depression and if not handled at its earliest stage, it can result to severe psychotic problems.
Warning signs and common symptoms of postpartum depression.
There are a number of signs and symptoms associated with postpartum depression. These include but not limited to reduced energy power, alteration in eating and sleeping patterns, sadness, decreased libido, self-isolation, irritability, anxiety, sadness, feeling overwhelmed and crying (King et al., 2006). In case you feel depressed after giving birth, do not feel embarrassed or reluctant to admit. It is always important to consider making appointment with the doctor if you go through any symptoms of postpartum depression or postpartum baby blues. A doctor should be called as soon as possible in case the symptoms of depression are characterized by harmful thoughts to yourself or the baby among others. It may be difficult for depressed people to acknowledge that they are suffering. It is because they may not know the signs and symptoms associated with this condition. Therefore, in case of any suspect that your friend is a victim of postpartum depression, consider helping them get medical care as soon as possible.
Risk factors for developing postpartum depression and various treatment options?
There are some risk factors that emerge after one has developed postpartum depression. Such factors are emotion related and include but not limited to insomnia, anxiety, loss of self-control, and increased cigarette smoking. However, the individuals going through this kind of depression should not lose hope as there is treatment. But one should note that different signs and symptoms have different way of treatment. For example one can join a support group and talk about the issue she or he is going through. There is also the counseling process which most people prefer because of privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, there is a prescribe medication by a doctor for treating postpartum depression. A good example of medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
The role of heredity and the environment in postpartum depression
Research has shown that the genetically and environmentally mingle on health have dealt on the classic diathesis-stress model, taking the surroundings as either being protective or risky, and treating the variations of genetics. It has been scientifically proven that some people react highly to stress hence the end product tends to be worse in poor environment as compared to good environment (Osmond, Wilkie, & Moore, 2001). The gene which transports serotonin from the non-truncated measure has shown that some women are more genetically reactive to the environment hence leading to the postpartum depression risks.
How the family is affected by the mother’s postpartum depression.
There is an effect that is caused both to the family member that is affected with postpartum depression. Even though most of the women will try to hide it, it will not be successful as the people who know them well will eventually discover because that is not how the affected person normally behaves, hence this depression ...