How Can We Help Mental Health Mothers?

Introduction 

Statistics have shown that Postpartum Depression (PPD) affects between 10% and 15% of the new mothers. Most significantly, the mental health condition remains undiagnosed in a large portion of the population. Research has also shown that in some demographics, PPD can affect as high as 35% of the entire women population who have just given birth. The main symptoms of the disease include mood disorders that come immediately after childbirth (Thurgood, Avery, & Williamson, 2009). One of the primary factors as to why PPD remains largely undiagnosed is due constraints such as time and the social acceptability of the screening process. In many African American families, the undiagnosed cases are mainly due to the fear of an individual being labeled an unhappy mother. Other primary reasons why postpartum depression remains prevalent include the lack of awareness with regards to depression and a lack of affordability and appropriate treatment. For black women, the prevalence of PPD is almost twice that of the general population. The reasons behind it include negative attitudes and misconceptions, knowledge deficiency, and a lack of healthcare access. 

A Lack of Awareness of What Depression Looks like And How to Seek Help 

First, it is important to note that PPD is one of the most common forms of depression. Although there isn’t an official statistics to document the prevalence, health officials intimate that the rate is between 10 and 15%. Although the rates are higher in women, studies have shown that the disorder can also affect men but at a lower rate (Schetter & Tanner, 2012). Severe cases of PPD if left untreated could affect not only the welfare of the women but also that of the children. One of the factors that have increased the prevalence of PPD among women is the lack of awareness or the knowledge deficiency relating to the disorder. Many women are not educated on PPD before they eventually give birth. As such, this might eventually cause them to confuse their depressive symptoms for baby blues thereby leading to the lack of treatment. Thurgood et al., (2009) asserted that "the key difference between the blues and PPD is the short time frame and the fact that the blues do not interfere with maternal role functioning, making the blues a self-limiting disorder that does not demand treatment.” The inability to identify the symptoms associated with the disease and the resultant lack of treatment for the disease can result in massive problems for the women. Therefore, educating the women before childbirth means that the women will receive adequate medical attention instead of unnecessarily feeling ashamed. Some of the consequences that can arise from a lack of treatment include psychiatric illness, marital tension, and suicidal ideation among others (Tandon et al., 2012). 

Negative Attitudes and Misconceptions Surrounding Depression 

As earlier asserted, the prevalence of PPD is almost twice more than that of the general population. Many African American women are raised and socialized with the aim of making them strong. This means that some reactions and emotions can be associated with failure and weakness. However, this is not necessarily true. Women should not be allowed to suffer in silence for any reason whatsoever. Although the disease is common, it is significantly misunderstood even by professionals such as mental health professionals. The misconceptions witnessed with the disease range from its symptomology to the treatment. The many myths associated with the disease have meant that women with the disorder are portrayed in the negative light hence preventing them from seeking help. Some women develop negative attitudes because they feel that others will think that they are unfit for motherhood. Some women also believe that PPD will eventually go away on its own. The society especially the African American culture has made people believe that depression is a matter that requires an individual to rise above and overcome it. Therefore, this causes women to dismiss depression as a minor issue even though it is a serious problem that needs professional help. 

Another significant attitude associated with PPD includes the fact that women feel that PPD is partly their fault. Studies have shown that in many African American societies, women primarily blame themselves for the PPD symptoms. Furthermore, they show a sense of guilt and doubts over their viability as motherhood. However, PPD does not come under an individual's discretion, and it is a serious illness that cannot be willed away. Therefore, women require education to enlighten them on the truths and misconceptions regarding the disease. As such, this will positively shape their attitude and put them on a path towards effective treatment. 

Lack of Affordable and Appropriate Treatment 

As earlier noted, PPD is regarded as one of the primary public health problems globally. Martínez, Vöhringer, & Rojas, (2016) asserted that “it is the most common psychiatric condition postpartum, and there is extensive material on the degree of disability that it is likely to cause to the mother." Appropriate treatment of the disorder begins with early detection, screening, and enrollment into a treatment program. However, documentation has shown that many pregnant women have many barriers to receiving affordable and efficient health care. Research has also shown that PPD primarily goes undetected and untreated in many minority groups especially the African American women. One of the most significant barriers that have increased the prevalence of PPD is the lack of affordability. Abrams, Dornig, & Curran, (2009) posited that many black women experience financial hardship with others lacking health insurance coverage thereby denying them an opportunity to deal with PPD. Other than the perception of personal weakness discussed, other women will fail to receive treatment due to the fears pertaining to being discredited as a mother and the unwillingness to disclose their situations to their handlers. 

For African American women, the leading cause of ineffective treatment relates to the cultural norms and beliefs regarding the disorder. Other women demonstrate a fear that emanates from the prospects of losing parental rights and the general stigma that comes with the disease. Some women have altered perceptions that the perinatal care providers do not have the sufficient knowledge and skills to manage depression. They believe that the caregivers are judgmental, insensitive, and most often unable to uncover the postpartum depression. Some mothers live in denial and fail to admit that they do not have all it takes to deal with the disease due to fear of guilt and shame. 

Conclusion 

It would be vital to conclude that mothers are particularly vulnerable to depression especially the expectant ones. Lara et al., (2014) et al., asserted that PPD remains one of the most common forms of depression affecting the women. The three primary reasons that have increased its prevalence include the lack of awareness of what depression looks like and how to find help. The second factor includes the negative attitudes and misconception regarding depression. Thirdly, lack of affordability and appropriate treatment has meant that women have stayed away from screening, diagnosis, and the effective treatment of the disease. The most affected population with PPD includes African American women. Other than the lack of accessibility to healthcare due to financial reasons, they have many social and cultural beliefs that further create barriers. The belief that depressed women are weak is directly responsible for the underreporting witnessed. Furthermore, women fear to lose their parental rights and would instead battle the disease. Therefore, all expectant women should receive education on the dangers of PPD as a way of preparation. 

References 

Abrams, L. S., Dornig, K., & Curran, L. (2009). Barriers to service use for postpartum depression symptoms among low-income ethnic minority mothers in the United States. Qualitative health research, 19(4), 535-551. 

Lara, M. A., Navarrete, L., Nieto, L., & Berenzon, S. (2014). Acceptability and barriers to treatment for perinatal depression. An exploratory study in Mexican women. Salud Mental, 37(4), 293-301. 

Martínez, P., Vöhringer, P. A., & Rojas, G. (2016). Barriers to access to treatment for mothers with postpartum depression in primary health care centers: a predictive model. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 24. 

Schetter, C. D., & Tanner, L. (2012). Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: implications for mothers, children, research, and practice. Current opinion in psychiatry, 25(2), 141. 

Tandon, S. D., Cluxton-Keller, F., Leis, J., Le, H. N., & Perry, D. F. (2012). A comparison of three screening tools to identify perinatal depression among low-income African American women. Journal of affective disorders, 136(1-2), 155-162. 

Thurgood, S., Avery, D. M., & Williamson, L. (2009). Postpartum depression (PPD). American Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(2), 17-22.