Compare and contrast between postnatal depression and baby blue - Essay Example

Post-natal Depression Postnatal depression (PND) is a condition which occurs most often in the first four months or first year following delivery1.It is mostly characterized by intense sadness, anxiety, and despair which interfere with the mother’s normal functioning2. The mother also becomes obsessed about the infant’s health and may sometimes experience negative feelings and thoughts of harming the infant2. Studies indicate that PND is mostly due to significant changes in women’s hormones during pregnancy2.

PND is different from baby blues in the sense that the latter is more of a mild transitory moodiness2. It occurs between three and ten days after giving birth and is characterized by sleeplessness, impaired concentration, and feelings of isolation1. This condition is also attributed to hormone changes following childbirth. Where PND is more persistent and more debilitating to the mother, baby blues often disappears on its own and has less impact on the mother2. Diazepam is a logical and beneficial choice in both cases because antidepressant drugs need 2-6 weeks before their effect builds up.

Therefore, administering a long-term antianxiety or hypnotic drug would be a logical choice for PND and baby blues. A once daily dosage of the drug would also benefit the mother.Reference1 What is Postnatal Depression [document on the Internet] Beyond Blue [updated 06 August 2010; cited 03 September 2010]. Available from: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=94.575 2 Saju, J. [document on the Internet] Postpartum depression [15 April 2004; cited 03 September 2010]. Available from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271662-overview