Resource Tag: POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

This article describes the clinical diagnosis & treatment of depression. Types of depression & warning signs for specific populations (such as the elderly & medically ill) are presented. Suicidal ideations & behaviors are identified as warning signs for this disorder. The author stated that over two-thirds of people who died by suicide had given evidence […]

All maternal deaths in Sweden during 1980-1988 were analyzed. There were 64 pregnancy-related deaths including 3 suicides. Another 28 suicides occurred 43-365 days after delivery. Violent methods of suicide were used; only 4 cases involved intoxication. It is argued that there is a relationship between delivery & suicide during the following year as a complication […]

This article reports on a study that led to development of a theory of postpartum depression. Data were obtained from a support group over an 18-month period & 12 in-depth interviews. Data analysis revealed loss of control as the basic social problem. Women suffering from postpartum depression attempted to cope with this problem through the […]

A second case of monthly, unipolar, psychotic depression is presented, involving a 26-year-old woman whose illness had a postpartum onset, recurred premenstrually for 33 consecutive months, & involved a suicide attempt by self-burning. Whereas various antidepressant, antipsychotic, & hormonal treatments were ineffective, bupropion (together with low-dose trifluoperazine) induced an immediate & complete remission that was […]

This article asserts that suicide during pregnancy & in the postpartum period is much rarer now, due to contraception, legal abortion & less punitive attitudes. The author presents studies which show that pregnant women who commit suicide often had conceived out of marriage, & many were teenagers. The author concludes social factors are the dominant […]

This study investigates the suicide rates for women in England & Wales during pregnancy & the first year after childbirth. The author found that this group has a low risk of suicide despite a high rate of psychiatric morbidity. The rate was slightly higher for teenage mothers & unmarried mothers. Women who committed suicide after […]

The occurrence of mood changes in the postpartum period is common. This presentation will discuss three cases of postpartum mood changes illustrating the “normal” changes, depression with suicidal ideation requiring brief hospitalization, and psychotic depression requiring intensive psychiatric treatment.

This article examines contemorary suicide methods in pregnancy as clues to the developmental meaning of the act. Discusses the problem of concealment, both of the suicidal act & the pregnancy. List characteristics of 9 pregnancy related suicides in New Mexico. 3 contemporary case examples are described. Common themes include conflict with husband, multiple illnesses, need […]

A collection of studies, including some previously published articles, on suicide in association with pregnancy. Historical, cultural, demographic & statistical factors are discussed. Teenage pregnancy & postpartum mental illness are studies. Authors are mainly psychiatrists. Extensive bibliography. (PM)

Suicide/infanticide is one situation in which it can be seen how suicide & homicide are closely related. The author states that post-partum suicide attempts are primitive efforts to undo the birth process & to undo the physical separation from the fetus. The hypothesis is presented that a large proportion of the annual 20,000-30,000 “crib deaths” […]

A 36 year old married female, diagnosed as a chronic schizophrenic, fatally shot her year old son & seriously injured herself in a simultaneous suicide attempt. Precipitating factors suggested were an unwanted pregnancy & the denial of her request for sterilization by members of a sterilization board.(NBB)

Studied 28 patients who were pregnant at the time of their attempts & 16 patients who made postpartum attempts. 5 of the latter also attempted while pregnant. Analyses of case histories & MMPI profiles indicate: (a) attempted suicide & suicide were definitely related to pregnancy & postpartum, (b) pregnancy per se did not cause depression, […]

A subjective account of the author’s 2 episodes of depression, the first in the 1940’s, the second in the ’70s, illustrates how much has changed in treatment. The symptoms of clinical depression are detailed, & the factors involved are discussed (genetics, physiological & psychosocial stressors & developmental predisposition). Women’s greater susceptibility to depression (dependent role, […]

This pamphlet describes “Post Partum Counselling Service” in Calgary. This service is a self help programme which uses volunteers who have experienced postpartum distress following the birth, or adoption, of a child.

This article describes 3 cases of young women who attempted suicide after giving birth. The authors assert that interpersonal psychodynamic patterns may contribute to the emergence of psychosis after childbirth. Psychodynamic explanations are presented for the emerging psychoses that resulted in 2 of the 3 cases in attempted suicide. Influences of the husband &/or mother […]

A review of 47 suicides in women of child bearing age revealed that 2 were pregnant, 2 were within the 1st year post-partum, & 2 falsely believed themselves pregnant. The search revealed 2 additional pregnancy-associated suicides which had not been reported as suicide. Previous studies asserting pregnancy protects against suicide seem to be challenged by […]