Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Psychosis - Essay Example

Postpartum Psychosis Postpartum Psychosis Any event which occurs after the birth of a child is referred to as post-partum event. Disorders such as postpartum depression are common mood disorders which are prevalent in women after the delivery of the child. Postpartum depression is referred to as non-psychotic episodes and postpartum psychosis is a maniac state in which psychotic events take place. Women with post-partum depression present with weight change, insomnia, psychomotor agitation, fatigue and constant thoughts of suicide. Women with post-partum psychosis present with delusions, hallucinations and mood disturbances. Nurses are among the officials that that have the maximum contact with depressive women. Due to this reason, it is crucial that nurses have knowledge and command over post-partum psychosis and post-partum depression (Doucet et al, 2009). These psychic disorders are rare but at the same time they are serious. Evidence of these disorders in a woman lead to their admission in hospitals (Nager et al, 2012). A woman with post-partum disorders have negative effects on her family (Doucet et al, 2010). Studies were conducted by psychiatrists and they studied the caring processes given by health care professionals. They summarized that nurses are the most important collaborators in the care of women during their periods of depression (Engqvist et al, 2010). Impact Of The Issue The issue of post-partum disorders has various circumstances. There are individual and social impacts of the issue. For the prevention of the issue it is must that the monetary impact of the issue should be highlighted. Circumstances Surrounding The Issue Circumstances such as how many women are affected by the disorder and its severity are significant. The issue is considered dangerous because one or two women per 1000 births are affected by post-partum depressive disorders. Postpartum psychosis is the most severe disorder which forms mood liabilities in women. The depressive disorders affects mothers from every society, race, religion, socioeconomic class and culture. Symptoms of the disorders are also significant. The symptoms of the disorders can be confusing because they are severe and sudden. The impact of this issue should be assessed because it leads to consequences such as suicide. There is also a chance of infanticide. All these impacts have led to the needs for clinical interventions (Doucet et al, 2011). Individual And Societal Impact Of Issue The depressive disorders have negative impacts on an individual and social level. On an individual level, the disorders can be fatal for women and the newborns. Postpartum psychosis and depression has severe and at times irreversible effects on women. Studies suggest that around 4% of the women who have postpartum psychosis commit suicide. The impact of the disorders affect women and their partners. Studies also suggested that on individual basis mothers require emotional, instrumental and affirmation support. The women who go through these disorders require aid in simple things such as cleaning their houses and taking care of the newborns. On a social level, women require support from their families (Doucet et al, 2011). Nurses are health care officials who are mostly in contact with women undergoing depression. Hence, on a social level nurses can scan these women and can implement interventions. Nurses can scan pregnant women during the natal and antenatal visits (Doucet et al, 2009). Monetary Impact Of The Issue Due to the seriousness and severity of the disorders, it is necessary that researches and studies be carried out. Negative consequences of the disorders can also be avoided if well-designed studies are carried out to reach to efficient preventive and treatment interventions (Doucet et al, 2010). These studies and researches require money and funds so efficient results can be reached. Monetary funds are also required as a guide for health care providers so that they can have full grip on the disorders. By the results of studies healthcare providers can reach to suitable implementations (Doucet et al, 2011). Evidence Based Nursing Care Evidence based medicine is a crucial part of understanding post-partum depressive disorders. Evidence Based Guidelines Evidence-based guidelines use systematic reviews to inform specific clinical circumstances. Evidence from studies suggest that postpartum depression and psychosis are multifaceted mood disorders that require interdisciplinary approaches to address the requirements of affected women and their relatives (Doucet et al, 2009). Continuing medical education (CME) courses are associated with increased screening and preventive measures (Leddy et al, 2012). Barriers Of Implementation The barriers or challenges that implementations face are several. A study carried out by Swedish psychiatrists described the collaboration of health care professionals with women who suffered from post-partum depressive disorders. This study had a few barriers which were a small sample size (Engqvist, 2010). Another study studied the relapse rates of depressive disorders in women. This study had some barriers which hindered implementation. The study did not register the hospital admission records that dated more than 2 years ago. The results of the study also failed to distinguish between unipolar and bipolar disorders. Another barrier that the study showed was disability of examining the life course of patients (Nager et al, 2012). Ethical, Legal And Values-Based Issues There are ethical and legal issues which are related to post-partum depressive disorders. It is important to address ethical issues such as a woman’s personal information so issues do not arise. Personal information of patients should always remain secretive and the information should not prove to be embarrassing for the affected women. Studies such as the one carried out by Swedish psychiatrist considered ethical values and obtained personal information carefully. The interviewers in this study followed ethics and told the woman who were interviewed that it was their voluntary decision to take part in the study. The data collected was organized confidentially. Consent of all the participants was also taken (Engqvist, 2010). Incorporation Into Nursing Practice Various studies suggest that clinical interventions are needed which should address matters such as post-partum depression. There is a need of assistance and collaboration by health care officials especially nurses (Doucet et al, 2011). Studies show that postpartum psychosis is a lifelong recurrent psychiatric disorder. The findings of studies have summarized important facts for healthcare workers including nurses, encountering women with postpartum psychosis (Nager, 2012). Nurses are the healthcare providers who give the maximum time to women after their delivery. Hence, nurses who interact with mothers in the postpartum period must have a good understanding of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis (Doucet et al, 2009). Future Implication In the future, this issue needs to be addressed to counter maternal mortality rates. Multi-professional and multi-agency collaboration improves quality outcomes. Training is necessary to increase awareness of health professionals in relation to mental health problems in the antenatal and postnatal period for future (Warrnier et al, 2011). In future, it is also a must to generate effective supportive programs for the safety of women and their families (Doucet et al, 2011). The mental status of a woman after her delivery should be observed very closely by healthcare officials especially nurses. Post-partum periods are crucial periods in which a woman can go into severe depression. This depression maybe everlasting and relapsing hence it is necessary that nurses taking care of such women be highly qualified and they should know how to counter such issues. Interventions are necessary against depressive disorders to eradicate consequences such as maternal and infant deaths. Studies have been carried out previously and more need to be carried out to look for solutions that could decrease the percentage of disorders such as post-partum depression and post-partum psychosis. Healthcare professionals need to be trained fully so they could handle a woman undergoing depression in any setting. Post-partum psychosis is a prevalent and severe condition which if not dealt with can prove to be fatal. References Doucet, S., Dennis, C. L., Letourneau, N., & Blackmore, E. R. (2009). Differentiation and clinical implications of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing,38(3), 269-279. Doucet, S., Jones, I., Letourneau, N., Dennis, C. L., & Blackmore, E. R. (2011). Interventions for the prevention and treatment of postpartum psychosis: a systematic review. Archives of womens mental health, 14(2), 89-98. Doucet, S., Letourneau, N., & Blackmore, E. R. (2012). Support needs of mothers who experience postpartum psychosis and their partners. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 41(2), 236-245. Engqvist, I., Ahlin, A., Ferszt, G., & Nilsson, K. (2010). Nurses–psychiatrists main collaborators when treating women with postpartum psychosis. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 17(6), 494-502. Leddy, M. A., Farrow, V. A., Joseph Jr, G. F., & Schulkin, J. (2012). Obstetrician/gynecologists and postpartum mental health: differences between CME course takers and nontakers. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 32(1), 39-47. Nager, A., Szulkin, R., Johansson, S. E., Johansson, L. M., & Sundquist, K. (2013). High lifelong relapse rate of psychiatric disorders among women with postpartum psychosis. Nordic journal of psychiatry, 67(1), 53-58. Warriner, S., Byrne, G., & Graham, D. (2011). Maternity and mental health services working collaboratively for women. British Journal of Midwifery, 19(11), 729-733. Read More