Postpartum depression in adolescents - Research Paper Example

? Postpartum Depression in Adolescents Introduction Postpartum depression is a condition that affects individuals, both men and women, to varying degrees after childbirth. Descriptive information provided shows that women are more vulnerable to the condition than men, but the degree of variance remains relatively small. The condition typically affects women, in most cases immediately after they have encountered child carrying. Vulnerability statistics reveal that women have as high chances as 25% and as low as 5% of attaining the condition (Haslam et al., 2006). Comparative statistics indicate that men have lower chances of contraction of the condition with a margin of less than 2.5%. Although postpartum depression is a condition that affects diverge age groups before or after giving birth, it has been found out that teenagers are also largely affected. In this regard, it is imperative that consideration of theories and literature related to the condition, including its causes, diagnosis, treatment and management of the condition, must provide an accurate intervention for it. Literature It is estimated that approximately 14% of new mothers experience the PPD condition. Resultant negative consequences, associated with bad moods and inappropriate response, affect a large group of people around them. Further statistics indicate that more than 50% of PPD victims experience spells lasting for more than half a year. With such worrying trends, sociological intervention has been proposed on early detection and treatment in teenage mothers. The theory indicates that when an early detection is made, immediate and continual treatment is given. Thus, with early realization of the condition, further recurring is avoided and effective intervention would be achieved by awareness of the vulnerable mothers and regular clinical checking associated with the treatment process. With diversity in causal factors associated with this condition, diverse theoretical models have also been proposed for this condition (Haslam et al., 2006). From a medical dimension, pregnancy is triggered by secretion of specific hormones. It becomes coherent that they lead to creation of mood changes within the carrier. The medical model suggests medical intervention by professional medics or other medical related professionals in alleviation or mitigation of the condition. A feminist model is based on trying to understand women gender, their roles and other factors. This model states that changes in lifestyle brought about by childbirth is aimed at caring for the baby through breastfeeding and giving it other needs. Since women tend to change their lifestyles immediately after pregnancy and birth, changes in moods are more likely to occur and, thus, lead to occurrence of this condition (Smith, 2010). PPD can be intervened through the approach of feminist model, namely, changing women understanding of feminism and directing the same on real life challenges (George, 2009). Labeling has also been considered as an effective sociological intervention against the condition. The theory states that societal perception of deviance results in negativity which is referred to as bad labeling. With bad mental images resulting from new mothers’ experiences of negative labeling, low self-esteem and stress become inevitable. Continual depression resulting from imaginary labeling leads to PPD. In combating the condition, this theory states that a new mother must undergo counseling lessons to get rid of the bad effects associated with imagination of labeling. As suggested by Smith (2011), it provides a good foundation for arresting and stopping the condition before detrimental stages. Victims are, hence, relieved of the burden of immersing into greater depression resulting from continual depression and imaginary labeling. Theory and description There are several theories that explain the occurrence of this condition. This is due to its complicated nature that makes it hard to understand its occurrence. Since it is considered to arise from multidimensional factors, various theories have thus been proposed from the dimension of factors speculated to be causing the condition in teenage mothers. These theories include biological theories, psychological theories, hormonal theories and social theories. Biological theories As examined from a dimension of biological transmissions, postpartum depression results from an imbalance between multiple neurotransmitters in the body leading to occurrence of the condition in teenage mothers. Imbalances in dopamine, norepinephrine and other hormones, such as serotonin and epinephrine, mark a foundation for the occurrence of the condition. When such imbalance occurs, body system function becomes altered causing depression. These neurotransmitters are thought to be imbalanced during the period of pregnancy and after birth due to the fact that sharing with the baby has taken place. This is because during pregnancy the level of prolactin is very high, but after delivery rapidly decreases. Although this has been a conventional view from a biological dimension, contradictory evidences have been presented in the past. For instance, during a 1991 research carried out by a group of researchers indicated that victims with the condition were found to have high levels of prolactin during the days when pregnancy was absent. Continual research indicated that several weeks after birth, the levels of prolactin were still observed to be higher with week progression (George, 2009). Hormonal theory Hormonal studies have indicated that changes in hormone secretions, before, during and after pregnancy have largely contributed to the occurrence of the condition (Smith, 2010). Changes in hormones, such as estrogen, have relatively contributed to the occurrence of this condition. Given the fact that secretion of estrogen and progesterone hormones increases in hundreds of folds during pregnancy and is also given that high levels of these hormones associated with depression, there is a huge possibility of their contribution to postpartum depression. Various studies done on animals indicated that other hormones (estradiol, e.g.) lead to enhancement of functions associated with serotonin which is also linked to high levels of stress during pregnancy. Contribution from ovarian hormones cannot be ignored. Fluctuation of these hormones leads to changes in moods of vulnerable individuals, especially teenage mothers. Use of contraceptives has also been greatly suggested by various researchers as part of the hormonal agent. By using oral contraceptives, women are more likely to secrete hormones that would not be efficient for the purposes they are secreted for. Failure in their function in the body leads to lack of use in other parts of the body and, thus, becoming accumulating. Resultant accumulation of these hormones in the bodies of vulnerable women, especially teenage mothers, leads to high levels of depression resulting in postpartum depression. Psychological theories Various studies during pregnancy have extensively indicated that there are high levels of depression during pregnancy. Supportive evidence provided indicates that notable disorders occur at this stage. There are numerous possibilities that teenage mothers undergo great bouts of stress that highly contribute to the occurrence of postpartum disorder (Boyce & Hickey, 2005). Another aspect of devastating psychological effect is directly related to self-esteem. Haslam et al. (2006) found out that self-esteem is a major factor in prediction of postpartum disorder. The authors continue to argue that low self-esteem leads to acquisition of stressful life events. Teen mothers are overloaded with the challenges in the society and, thus, develop low self esteem. This is resultant to development of depression leading to postpartum disorder (Dennis, 2008). Besides, anxiety has also been associated with development of stress, hence, development of postpartum disorder. Immediately after birth, teenage mothers experience prenatal anxiety due to changes in expectations for their infants (Boyce & Hickey, 2005). Social theories There are several social aspects that have been associated with the development of the condition. Among them is stress related to taking care of a baby (George, 2009). Given that teenage years are highly associated with education, social life and other fun activities, teenage mothers find it extremely difficult to make quick adaptations to situations requiring their unstoppable responsibility. Pregnancies also lead to accumulation of frustration in teenage mothers. Resultant frustrations also lead to creation of high levels of stress. Resultant high levels of stress are thought to lead to occurrence of postpartum disorder (Dennis, 2008). Alleviating postpartum disorder in this dimension requires that social support be provided through help of chores associated with child rearing for teenage mothers. This intervention is aimed at achieving reduction of stress that might lead to occurrence of greater amounts of postpartum disorder and, therefore, impair less the lives of teenage mothers. Conclusion It is evident from the discussion above that interventions aimed at postpartum disorder can not take a single approach, but rather a multidimensional one. Since it is a highly complex condition that has evaded sufficient human understanding, its real causes have remained indistinct. Resultant assumptions have pointed towards lack of vitamins, drug use and tobacco consumption. Recent studies have also brought a new twist into the understanding of the causes of this condition by bringing in the idea of hormonal changes during pregnancy and after birth. However, there have been several theories proposed for occurrence and treatment of the condition, especially for teenage mothers. These include hormonal theory where large amounts of secretions lead to mood changes in the body. Neurotransmitter imbalances in the body have also been identified as causes in the biological theories. Psychological theories have indicated that high levels of stress resulting from caring for the child, low self esteem and lifestyle changes greatly contribute to occurrence of postpartum disorder. Social perspective of the condition indicates that stressful moments from the immediate responsibilities associated with parenthood for teenagers greatly lead to high chances of getting postpartum disorder. References Boyce, P., & Hickey, A. (2005). Psychological risk factors to major depression after childbirth. Social Psychiatry & Epidemiology, 40, 605-612. Dennis, C. L. (2008). Psychosocial and psychological interventions for prevention of postnatal depression: Systematic review. BMJ (British Medical Journal), 331.  George, H. N. (2009). Coping with postpartum disorder in early years. Houston, Texas: Wiley. Haslam, D. M., Pakenham, K. I., & Smith, A. (2006). Social support and postpartum depressive symptomatology: The mediating role of maternal self-efficacy. Infant Mental Health Journal, 27, 276-291. Smith, S. M. (2010). Combating postpartum disorder in teenagers. New York, NY: Sage. Read More