Postpartum Depression of First-Time Teenage Mothers - Research Paper Example

Postpartum depression- Its causes, prevention and treatment in first-time teenage mothers By Foundation Sociology [University’ Name] [Department] 9 January 2015 Table of Contents Postpartum depression- Its causes, prevention and treatment in first-time teenage mothers 2 1.0 Abstract 2 1.1 Objective 2 1.2 Background 3 1.3 Methods 3 1.4 Results 3 1.5 Conclusion 4 2.0 Background 4 3.0 Methods 5 4.0 Results 6 4.1 Peer support 6 4.2 Adjustment to motherhood 7 4.3 Lack of access to professional support 7 4.4 Lack of confidence in parenting 8 5.0 Discussion- How to handle postpartum depression for first-time teen mothers 8 6.0 Treatment 9 7.0 Conclusion 10 Postpartum depression- Its causes, prevention and treatment in first-time teenage mothers 1.0 Abstract 1.1 Objective This discussion is aimed at exploring the experiences of young teen mothers suffering from postpartum depression in the UK. The paper will then highlight how the depression affects them as young mothers and how it can be prevented or treated. 1.2 Background In UK, the rate of teenage pregnancies is considered higher compared to most other countries in Europe. According to various research, these young mothers are more prone to developing depression which is clinically referred to as postpartum depression. As the name suggests, this is a kind of depression occurs in women who have given birth as a result of various factors and causes. This study examines the causes of postpartum depression in teen mothers, while also providing the key ways through which the disorder can be prevented or treated. 1.3 Methods The study is based on secondary data obtained from a survey conducted by Young Mums Together, a UK based group that provides support to young women who are experiencing parenting challenges. This support group held various weekly discussion sessions that facilitated sharing and learning processes for the young mothers in issues such as parenting and handling of stressors and other serious issues such as postpartum depression. A total of 27 young mothers most in their teen years were analysed. Quantitative data were analysed by determining the prevalence of postpartum depression in the UK. Conversely, qualitative data were analysed by determining the kind of life led by the teen mothers and the challenges that they face in their daily lives. 1.4 Results It emerged that postpartum depression is a common disorder among the teen mothers in the UK affecting between 10-20 percent of this category of mothers. The main challenges facing these mothers are lack of professional support, inadequate parenting knowledge and information, isolation by peers and stigma caused by perception of being judged by their society (Lanzi et. al 2009). 1.5 Conclusion Following the above results, the study shows the importance of providing the necessary support, both informal and professional to these teen mothers. The main cause of postpartum depression is lack of support, including that of peers, parents and health professionals (Katrina 2013). 2.0 Background Postpartum depression occurs in women who have given birth, often developing within the initial six weeks after giving birth. However, this type of disorder does not manifest until after about six months of giving birth. Postpartum depression mainly affects new mothers and its prevalence is higher in teen mothers than in older women. If left unchecked, postpartum depression is likely to lead to long-term consequences which can affect both the child and the mother. There are several predisposing factors of postpartum depression in first-time teen mothers including; Little support from friends and family members. A troubled relationship or marriage. History of depression and exposure to recent stressors such as during pregnancy. Constraints experienced during child care, for example due to serious medical issues either by the mother or the child. Financial constraints in the family (Beck and Driscoll 2005, pg. 64). The young mothers, therefore, require increased attention especially in the form of support towards their mental health. First-time teen mothers are a unique group of parents especially due to the various life adjustments that they need to make. Therefore, these mothers are at a higher risk of experiencing feelings of isolation, stress and in some cases, postpartum depression. Due to these risks, young mothers require comprehensive support systems that provide them with information, opportunities and support to help them cope with the changes occurring in their life. According to researchers, postpartum depression in teen mothers occurs as a result of biological changes that lead to mood problems in the young women. This is mainly attributed to significant hormonal swings in the sex and stress hormones. The consequent shifts in the hormonal balance trigger certain changes and in the brain area thereby leading to processing of emotions which are expressed in the mother’s ability to manage social interactions. The resulting changes may be the source of postpartum depression which can be of significant effects both to the mother and the baby. Some of the common symptoms of postpartum depression in first-time teen mothers include; Poor concentration ability mainly characterised by indecisiveness. Extreme cases of exhaustion largely caused by intensive care for the baby. Increased considerations about death usually in the form of suicidal thoughts. Increased irritability. Loss of interest in former activities of interest. Feeling worthless and guilty which portrays hopelessness. Increased anxiety sometimes characterised by obsessive caring of the baby and its welfare. Signs of depression such as crying spells and tearfulness. Unusually low or excessive appetite for food (Rosenfield 2007, pg. 153). 3.0 Methods This discussion bases its data from a study conducted by Young Mums Together which is a UK based support group that seeks to help young mothers and especially teen mothers to handle various challenges that develop as a result of giving birth. The group organised and held various discussion sessions with 27 new mothers, most of who were in their teen years. These mothers were from various ethnicities including White British, mixed White British and Caribbean, Africans and others from mixed backgrounds. The prevalence of postpartum depression in first-time teen mothers in the UK was however not easily established due to the small number of sessions’ attendants. The group conducted interviews that helped to determine various themes concerning the participants’ aspects of lives and how they contribute to the development of postpartum depression. The interviews and discussions were conducted by various mental health professionals who helped the young mothers to better understand the causes and treatment of this disorder (Katrina 2013). 4.0 Results As earlier mentioned, there has been negligible research on the postpartum depression in first-time teen mothers in the UK to this date. It is, therefore, difficult to determine the exact prevalence rate of the disorder among this category of women. However, it is approximated at between 10-20 percent of all new mothers mainly between the ages of 15-19 years. Postpartum depression’s prevalence is not dependent on the ethnic background of the mother and thus it can affect anybody. According to the interviews conducted, various new mothers opened up to the mental health professionals describing various aspects of their lives and how it contributed to stress and probably the depression. Some of the main topics discussed during this sessions included peer support, adjustment to motherhood, access to professional support, mental health support and lack of confidence to parenting among others. 4.1 Peer support Some of the teen mothers suffering from postpartum depression reported that they had been deprived the opportunity to socialise and get support from their peers. The mothers also said that they were happy to get an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations as theirs, which was one of the important things that they missed. The mothers reported that the kind of socialising that they experienced during the interview was one of the necessary kind of support they wanted in their life to be comfortable in life. 4.2 Adjustment to motherhood The arrival of the child to teen mothers is in most cases unexpected and thus challenging to cope with. For example, some of the first-time teen mothers reported that they faced substantial challenges that had been brought about by the new responsibility of raising their children. To some who were not ready for the early parenthood, the arrival of the child meant an interruption of future aspirations and plans such as the advancement of education. To other parents, the childcare services and demands were quite expensive for them. Therefore, the stresses that developed as a result of these changes largely emanated from the teen mother’s lack or slow adjustment to their new responsibilities of parenthood. The persistent stressors consequently led to the development of postpartum depression. 4.3 Lack of access to professional support It is common for the first-time teen mothers to experience daily stress due to factors such as family difficulties, financial constraints and emotional issues. During this stressing moments, it is important for the mothers to receive the right support which in some serious cases should be provided by a mental health professional. For example, during these sessions, most teen mothers reported huge emotional relief from sharing and discussing their emotional burdens with the professionals available. Some mothers testified that they indeed would wish to seek professional support on regular basis but this had proved difficult due to factors such as fear of exposing their relatives or their loved ones and the high cost of professional mental health services. In some cases, teen mothers found it uncomfortable to share their personal details with a group and thus preferred to seek personalised services which were in most cases unaffordable. Other common points of concern by the mothers included the unavailability of helpful professionals, lack of knowledge of available support services in the locality and the societal stigma associated with seeking these services. 4.4 Lack of confidence in parenting This is largely related to the lack of adjustment to parenting and motherhood by the mother. For example, most of the first-time teen mothers interviewed during these sessions admitted to experiencing an initial period of confidence shortage immediately after giving birth. During this period, the young mothers confessed that they would have appreciated being provided with support from their parents and especially their mothers. This state of reduced parenting confidence if left to run for longer can lead to postpartum depression in teen mothers. 5.0 Discussion- How to handle postpartum depression for first-time teen mothers Most teen mothers can prevent themselves from developing postpartum depression though taking several measures. Pregnant teen women should understand that they are at a higher risk of developing postpartum depression and thus should seek advice and guidelines on what to expect with their new expected task of motherhood. The mothers should also seek this information from their doctor and other experienced mothers (Dubovsky & Dubovsky 2002, pg. 30). It is also important that a pregnant teen woman understands whether she has a history of depression from her past health history. In such a case, the young woman should talk with her doctor about a possible use of anti-depressants immediately after giving birth or as advised. Another disorder that highly predisposes a pregnant woman to postpartum depression is the bipolar disorder and thus should also be discussed with a doctor as well (Perry et.al 2014, pg. 520). 6.0 Treatment Postpartum depression, like other forms of depression, is best treated using a combination of medication and psychotherapy. In serious cases of this depression, referred to as psychosis, the mother should be provided with urgent medical attention since it can be quite dangerous to the life of the patient and the child. However, due to the sensitivity of treating this kind of depression, it is important that caregivers and family members involved in such a case to understand the Mental Health Act of 1983 well. According to this Act, a mother suffering from postpartum depression can be detained and treated without her consent to allow for her protection, that of her family and more importantly that of the child (Government of UK 2007). The treatment can take two main forms such as; One of the ways used in treating postpartum depression is through the use of antidepressants commonly used in treating other types of depression. Some of the common antidepressants include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is important that the young mother considers various factors before settling on certain types of treatment regime i.e. former treatment methods and potential side effects. It is also necessary that the young woman discusses with her doctor to determine the probability of the drugs’ effects to her child if breastfeeding (Lawrence 2010). One of the most efficient and recommended methods of treating postpartum depression is use of psychotherapy techniques. There are three major forms of psychological therapies available today. Cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and couples therapy. These forms of therapy are designed to explore events that have occurred in a patient’s life while correcting the self-critical thoughts that have developed over time. The therapies are essential in helping the young mothers to manage issues such family and other social disagreements while also enabling them to organise the various responsibilities such as child care (Weiner & Craighead 2010). 7.0 Conclusion Postpartum depression is a common disorder occurring in first-time teen mothers in UK today. The disorder is caused by various predisposing factors and can be detected through observation of certain common symptoms. This depression is preventable especially when detected in its early stages. It is also treatable through two main used to treat other forms of depression as well. Bibliography Beck, C. T., & Driscoll, J. (2005). Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders: a clinicians guide. Sudbury, MA, Jones and Bartlett. Dubovsky, S. L., & Dubovsky, A. N. (2002). Concise guide to mood disorders. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Pub Government of UK. (2007). Mental Health Act. Available from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/12/pdfs/ukpga_20070012_en.pdf, accessed 9 January 2015. Katrina Jenkins. (2013). Young Mums Together, Mental Health Foundation. Available from http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/young-mums-together-report.pdf, accessed 9 January 2015. Lanzi, R. G., Bert, S. C., & Jacobs, B. K. (2009). Depression among a Sample of First‐Time Adolescent and Adult Mothers. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 22(4), 194-202 Lawrence, R. A. (2010). Breastfeeding: a guide for the medical professional. 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