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When It's More Than the "Baby Blues"
The birth of a baby is supposed to be a joyous and exciting time in a
mother's life. But for many women, it is the exact opposite.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
about 70-80% of women experience the "baby blues" after childbirth
and about 10% of women develop postpartum depression (PPD), a serious
medical condition that develops during the first months after
childbirth.
To help address this serious health issue, National Depression
Screening Day is incorporating screening for postpartum depression
into this year's event.
"Many women go through a period of feeling sad, anxious, or
irritable after the birth of a baby - this is often referred to as
the 'baby blues.' However, if these symptoms last longer than two
weeks, it could be an indication of a far more serious postpartum
mood disorder such as postpartum depression. By incorporating
screening for PPD into National Depression Screening Day, we hope to
educate both clinicians and the public about the differences between
the baby blues and serious mood disorders," says Douglas G. Jacobs,
MD, executive director of National Depression Screening Day and an
associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Like many women who suffer from a postpartum mood disorder,
Katherine Stone thought that the anxiety, depression and insomnia she
was experiencing was something that most mothers went through. It
wasn't until she started to have thoughts about harming her
seven-week-old son that she realized she needed help. "I couldn't
believe what was happening to me. I had never had thoughts of
harming a flea, much less a human being," says Stone, whose son is
now three years old. "I felt like a defective human being, and was
convinced my son would never love me. Of course, I was wrong and I
know that now, but at the time I was sure my life was over."
Read more...
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NDSD Celebrates 15 Years
National Depression Screening Day celebrates its 15th birthday this
year and while our focus has broadened, the basic concept of mental
health screening and education is more important than ever. "Fifteen
years later, it's not just about depression. It's not just a day.
It's not just desirable. It's essential," is the call to action for
NDSD 2005.
NDSD/Mental Health Screening provides sites with:
- The option of using year-round online screening for the same low price as the one-day in-person event-with screening and education materials for both mood and anxiety disorders.
- Postpartum depression resources.
- The SOS Suicide Prevention Program - a video-based presentation for community members who are concerned about a friend or family member, including a discussion guide and Suicide Risk Questionnaire.
Registered sites can conduct their NDSD event and/or the SOS
program on Thursday October 6th or on any convenient day once they
receive their new materials. The online program can be used
year-round.
Register online
or call the NDSD office at 781-239-0071.
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