Mental illness is defined as “conditions that affect cognition, emotion, and behavior.”1 This simple definition sheds light on the importance of maintaining mental well-being. Mental well-being positively influences all other aspects of health as well, including physical health and social health.1 One type of mental illness is peripartum depression, depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth.2 This debilitating form of depression is different from the term “baby blues.” The baby blues refer to short-term depressive symptoms that are not debilitating and, thus, do not interfere significantly with a woman’s quality of life.2 Although the exact prevalence of peripartum depression per state is uncertain (due to a lack of a standardized assessment scale), it is still on the rise—anywhere from 5% to 25%.3
The baby blues typically do not need immediate attention by healthcare providers nor do they need immediate treatment with medication, as they resolve within a couple days following childbirth. The symptoms include: …show more content…
Although still being investigated, many researchers claim that peripartum depression also increases the prevalence of behavioral and cognitive disorders in the child.5,6,7 Furthermore, there are decreased mother-child interactions, increased negative mother-child interactions, insecure attachments, antisocial behaviors, temper tantrums, substantial separation anxiety, and changes in sleep patterns.5, 6, 7 Insecure attachments can also cause breastfeeding difficulties, causing the mother to feel even more guilt than before, as she cannot provide adequately for her child. If peripartum depression begins during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of low birth weight as well.5,6,7 All of these effects revolve around one basic fact: the new mother does not have adequate support, resources, or education to decrease the prevalence of peripartum