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MONTGOMERY
—Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation Commissioner Kathy Sawyer today
encouraged Alabamians to learn all they can about mental
illnesses. "Education is the key to understanding
mental illnesses, and that understanding can save
lives," she said. Commissioner Sawyer was responding
to a recent national tragedy that involved a woman alleged
to have suffered with postpartum depression. Experts find
that many women become depressed after childbirth, and
that depression can range from a mild case of "baby
blues" to more debilitating postpartum depression.
Rarely does it involve a medical emergency in which the
woman may inflict harm upon herself or her baby.
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Professionals consider "baby blues" a mild disorder that typically occurs three to five days after delivery. The approximate 50 to 80 percent of new mothers considered to have "baby blues" may experience temporary feelings of sadness and worthlessness. Those feelings are generally shorter in duration and less intense in scope than the more serious postpartum depression. Postpartum depression (PDD) can be an intense, long-lasting disorder that should be taken seriously, appropriately diagnosed and treated. It can affect as many as 10 to 20 percent of new mothers, sometimes lasting more than one year. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the nation’s voice on mental illness, provides the following information on its Helpline Fact Sheet, Women and Depression: clinical depression is a serious medical illness that is much more than temporarily feeling sad and blue. It affects twice as many women as men, both in the U.S. and around the world. There appear to be important links between mood changes and reproductive health events. Recent research reveals that 10 to 15 percent of women experience depression during pregnancy. Additionally, 10 to 15 percent of women suffer from postpartum clinical depression within three months of delivery. There is a three-fold increase in risk for depression during or following pregnancy among women with a past history of mood disorders. Once a woman has experienced a postpartum depression, her risk of having another reaches 70 percent. One woman in a thousand experiences a postpartum psychosis—a medical emergency where the woman may try to inflict harm upon herself and/or her baby. "It is vital for women to understand that treatment is available and it works," Sawyer said. "To the women who may avoid seeking help because they think it is a sign a weakness or indicative of their failure as a mother, I say that is not the case. It’s o.k. to have depression, and it is the smart, responsible thing to do to talk about it with a professional. If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of depression, see a doctor, just like you would if you had diabetes, kidney or heart problems," she said. Past depression, sudden hormonal changes in the body, psychological stress, overwhelming responsibility, marital problems, poor family support and severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can all trigger depression. Information and referrals for your local community mental health center is available from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Bureau of Mental Illness Community Programs. Contact them at (334) 242-3200 or visit the DMH/MR website at http://www.mh.state.al.us.RESOURCES Postpartum Support International Depression after Delivery NAMI "Women and Depression" Fact Sheet available by calling the NAMI Help Line at 1-800-950-NAMI [6264] or on the web at http://www.nami.org/helpline/women.htmlThe Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation’s Bureau of Mental Illness Community Programs can provide referrals to local mental health centers. Contact them at (334) 242-3200.
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