Running head: DEPRESSION

Depression

[Name of writer]

[Name of institute]

[Date]:
 DEPRESSION 2

Table of Contents

Introduction...................................................................................................................... 3

Aim................................................................................................................................... 3

Discussion........................................................................................................................3

Psychological effects....................................................................................................5

Cultural effects..............................................................................................................6

Social effects................................................................................................................ 7

Spiritual effects.............................................................................................................7

Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 8

References.....................................................................................................................11
 DEPRESSION 3

Introduction

Everybody experiences anxiety or despair on times. On the other hand,

depression is defined by continuous feelings of being unhappy, dissatisfied, or unable to

enjoy life (Lam. 2018). It could seem to occur for no obvious reason. It is separate from

grief and other feelings that may follow difficult situations in life. In this essay depression

and the impact of depression on the life of a pregnant woman will discuss (Lam. 2018).

Depression that develops during pregnancy or the first year after giving birth is

considered to as perinatal depression. One of the most common medical issues

associated with pregnancy is it (Becker et al., 2016). 15% of women, or as many as 1 in

7 of them, are affected by it. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a kind of depression that

develops after having delivery (de Jesus Silva et al., 2016). Depression is not the fault

of one if it exists. Receiving treatment could also enhance overall general health. If

mistreated, perinatal depression can have severe effects on both the mother and the

unborn child (Lam. 2018). A pregnant woman should call her doctor right away if she

thinks she could be sad. How depression impacts the psychological, cultural, social, or

spiritual aspects of pregnancy, as well as the effects of depression on the new born are

the topic to discuss in this essay (Lam. 2018).

Aim

Effects of depression on the new-born as well as any additional physiological,

psychological, cultural, social, or spiritual features of pregnancy, labour, or puerperium

is the aim of this essay (Lam. 2018).

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Discussion

In the weeks and months following giving birth, as well as during pregnancy,

women are more likely to experience depression (Vigod et al., 2016). Changes in

hormonal changes during pregnancy may change brain chemistry and lead to

depression and anxiety. It is indeed possible for pregnant women to miss their sadness.

Depression that develops before, during, or after pregnancy is known to as perinatal

depression (Becker et al., 2016). The symptoms might range from minor to major.

Occasionally, the symptoms could be so bad that they risk the health of mother as well

as the health of the unborn child. Depression brought on by pregnancy can be treated.

Premature birth, an underweight or undersized new-born, being more upset, less

energetic, less attentive, and showing fewer facial expressions are all potential risks of

depression during pregnancy, as are starting to learn, behavioural, and developmental

disorders, as well as mental health problems in later life (Lam. 2018).

This essay begins a new era of collaborative, diverse psychiatric research on

pregnancy with the goal of reducing the burden of postpartum depression, anxiety, and

stress among mothers (Vigod et al., 2016). Additionally, it contributes to the growing

body of knowledge regarding the processes underlying biological and behavioural

processes. It is essential to develop testing and therapy approaches that are effective,

efficient, and ecologically sound in order to identify the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic

criteria that require maternity care. Depression is not always one of the primary

symptoms, despite how frequently it occurs (Lam. 2018). Additional symptoms include

crying, lack of strength and passion, helplessness and hopelessness feelings,

decreased libido, issues with sleep and appetite and feelings of helplessness and
 DEPRESSION 5

hopelessness. Asthma, vaginal secretions, backaches, belly pain, and headaches have

all been reported.

Psychological Effects

Depression is a mental disorder that can have an effect on a thought, actions,

and emotions of person. About 6% of women will experience depression at some point

in their lives. 10% of expecting mothers are included in this category (Lam. 2018).

Women are more likely to feel depression throughout pregnancy, as well as in the

weeks and months after giving birth. Depression and anxiety may arise from changes in

brain chemistry brought on by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy (van de Loo

et al., 2018). Sometime it is occur that pregnant women cannot recognise that they are

in depression which cause danger to their health too. They might think they are going

through pregnancy, or they may think they are going through the baby blues, which

many new mothers go through.

After giving birth, women typically experience postpartum mental pain, which can

vary from minor postpartum blues, which affect about 80% of women to postpartum

depression or insanity (Becker et al., 2016). Postpartum psychosis may endanger both

the and the lives of mother and child. Insomnia, difficulties concentrating, and mild

depression symptoms like sadness, weeping, anger, and concern are referred to as the

postpartum blues. The postpartum blues begin two to three days after giving birth, peak

during the following four days, and disappear within two weeks. Postpartum major

depression or postpartum mild depression are more common in women who experience

the postpartum blues (Becker et al., 2016).

 DEPRESSION 6

New mothers regularly face the baby blues, a mild form of postpartum

depression. It usually begins one to three days after delivery and lasts for ten to twelve

weeks. Many women have emotional ups and downs during the baby blues, crying one

minute and smiling the next. They could have issues with eating or sleeping, or they

could develop anxiety or confusion. 80% of new mother’s experience the baby blues,

which are common and soon pass. Postpartum depression, which is more severe and

lasting, affects 13% of new moms (Becker et al., 2016). For many women, comfort can

be found in things like yoga, exercise, and meditation. If they are feeling stressed or

overwhelmed, they could feel better after talking to a friend, a family member, or a

church member.

Cultural Effects

The values, beliefs, customs, and ways of life that enter a group and have an

impact on its behaviour and decision-making are referred to as the culture of a person.

The impact of cultural elements on depression connected to pregnancy has received

less attention than the cultural characteristics of the pregnancy-related age, while being

the focus of extensive research across the globe (Pearlstein. 2015). The majority of fatal

depression research has been done in Europe, industrialised nations, left out the full

range of various psychosocial diseases that are likely to manifest themselves after

childbirth globally.

Postpartum depression is a dangerous condition that many individuals

experience by pregnant woman all over (Becker et al., 2016). Cultural variables have a

large effect on postpartum depression, according to research; they may both cause the
 DEPRESSION 7

disorder and help to reduce its symptoms. Even though the article has discussed many

cultural aspects of the postpartum period, studies that have examined how postpartum

depression may be affected by culture have produced mixed results. Furthermore, it is

not clear from the literature whether there is a noticeable difference in postpartum

depression incidence across other cultures (Becker et al., 2016).

Social Effects

Only a few of the many different types of anxiety disorders include social anxiety,

panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, and intense disorder (van de Loo et al.,

2018). These problems might have occurred before being pregnant, at which point they

got worse. For women who are of reproductive age, being pregnant is an important

event. It is accompanied by sex hormones and may be a time when mental illnesses

like sadness, anxiety, and self-harm are more likely to surface (van de Loo et al., 2018).

Strong social support for the expecting woman lowers this risk and guards against

complications during pregnancy and poor birth outcomes. The relationships between

social support and mental illness like depression, anxiety, and self-harm among

pregnant women have not, however, been carefully examined or studied. The research

study and approach to the study examined the link between social support and mental

illnesses such anxiety, depression, and self-harm during pregnancy. Low levels of social

support are associated with a high rate of depression, anxiety, and self-harm during

pregnancy (Lam. 2018). Authorities and everyone else involved in maternity care should

take into consideration creating social support programmes in particular to help

pregnant women prevent mental health difficulties.

 DEPRESSION 8

Spiritual Effects

Depression is connected to a lack of appropriate social support, serious and

ongoing social issues, and poverty in British women (Lam. 2018). Within the first six

months after giving birth, 13% of new moms and 15% of expecting mothers,

respectively, experience maternal depression, Maternal depression is still one of the

biggest mental health issues women face because of maternal effects such poor life

quality, a high suicide risk, and disordered parenting. Additionally, it shatters the

mother-child bond, which is detrimental to the physical, emotional, and behavioural

development of both children and new-borns. Determining the causal factors of

postpartum depression is so vital.

Pregnancy depression may have an effect on both the mother and the baby

(Vigod et al., 2016). A decrease in depression symptoms may be linked to religious and

spiritual qualities (Lam. 2018). In a cross-sectional study, expecting mothers from three

southern maternity practises took part in an examination of spirituality, religion, and

depression symptoms. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale was used to

evaluate depression symptoms (EPDS). The EPDS score, which is a continuous result,

and a score at or above the suggested EPDS threshold (> 14), were used to measure

the depressive outcome. There were numerous possible variables considered. The

connection between spirituality and religion, social support, and depressed symptoms

received particular focus (Hodge. 2015). There is no set list of symptoms, but people

who are spiritually uncomfortable usually talk about feeling far from God. One can feel

confused or dissatisfied with their religion if they believe that God is impossible to reach
 DEPRESSION 9

or that He no longer hears the prayers. According to the research, Depression was

present 73.3% of the time, with a 7.69 average score. With an average spiritual health

score of 21.49%, good spiritual health was present in 85.9% of cases (Lam. 2018).

Conclusion

Everybody experiences anxiety or despair on times. Conversely, depression is

characterized by repeated sense of being unsatisfied, unhappy, or unable to enjoy life.

Depression that develops during pregnancy or the first year after giving birth is known to

as perinatal depression. One of the most common medical disorders linked to

pregnancy is it. As many as 1 in 7 women are impacted by it or about 15 percent.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a kind of depression that develops after having

delivery. Effects of depression on the new-born as well as any additional physiological,

psychological, cultural, social, or spiritual features of pregnancy, labour, or puerperium

was the aim of this essay. This essay begins a new era of collaborative, diverse

psychiatric research on pregnancy with the goal of reducing the burden of postpartum

depression, anxiety, and stress among mothers. Depression is a mental disorder that

can have an effect on a thought, actions, and emotions of a person.

About 6% of women will experience depression at some point in their lives. 10%

of expecting mothers are included in this category. New mothers regularly face the baby

blues, a mild form of postpartum depression. It usually begins one to three days after

delivery and lasts for ten to twelve weeks. Many women have emotional ups and downs

during the baby blues, crying one minute and smiling the next. Additionally, the values,

beliefs, customs, and ways of life that enter a group and have an impact on its
 DEPRESSION 10

behaviour and decision-making are referred to as the culture of a person. The impact of

cultural elements on depression connected to pregnancy has received less attention

than the cultural characteristics of the pregnancy-related age, while being the focus of

extensive research across the globe.

Only a few of the many different types of anxiety disorders include social anxiety,

panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, and intense disorder. These problems might

have occurred before being pregnant, at which point they got worse. For women who

are of reproductive age, being pregnant is an important event. Moreover, Pregnancy

depression may have an effect on both the mother and the baby. A decrease in

depression symptoms may be linked to religious and spiritual qualities. In a cross-

sectional study, expecting mothers from three southern maternity practises took part in

an examination of spirituality, religion, and depression symptoms.

 DEPRESSION 11

References

Becker, M., Weinberger, T., Chandy, A. and Schmukler, S., 2016. Depression during

pregnancy and postpartum. Current psychiatry reports, 18(3), pp.1-9.

de Jesus Silva, M.M., Peres Rocha Carvalho Leite, E., Alves Nogueira, D. and Clapis,

M.J., 2016. Depression in pregnancy. Prevalence and associated

factors. Investigación y educación en enfermería, 34(2), pp.342-350.

Hodge, D.R., 2015. Spirituality and religion among the general public: Implications for

social work discourse. Social Work, 60(3), pp.219-227.

Lam, R.W., 2018. Depression. Oxford University Press.

Pearlstein, T., 2015. Depression during pregnancy. Best Practice & Research Clinical

Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 29(5), pp.754-764.

van de Loo, K.F., Vlenterie, R., Nikkels, S.J., Merkus, P.J., Roukema, J., Verhaak, C.M.,

Roeleveld, N. and van Gelder, M.M., 2018. Depression and anxiety during

pregnancy: the influence of maternal characteristics. Birth, 45(4), pp.478-489.

Vigod, S.N., Wilson, C.A. and Howard, L.M., 2016. Depression in pregnancy. Bmj, 352.