This is a ppt presentation that I did for an Abnormal Psychology class. This presentation looks into the life of Brooke Shields--celebrity who suffered from PPD
17. What is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression: a mood disorder that commences after giving birth. It can occur anytime within the first year after childbirth; it usually occurs within the first couple weeks and adversely affects the mother’s ability to function. Many suffer for up to 6 months and about ¼ of sufferers still experience symptoms after a year if left untreated.
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19. OCD symptoms
20. Sometimes these occur with little depression Be aware of suicidal ideations, and also fantasies about injuring the baby.
33. Loss of Occupational identity“In my mind, having the baby had made my life hopeless and meant that nothing would ever be the way it used to be” –Brooke Shields “Down Came the Rain”
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35. The women feel that they just can’t pick up and leave whenever they wish (vacation, hanging out with friends)
36. They have to tend to the baby instead of just themselves
38. In a case study done, several women were interviewed on this subject. One woman said that the “new baby’s arrival eliminated time for her and her husband to be on their own together for at least 18 [more] years.
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40. Loss of Femininity & Sexuality Because of the anxiety about their appearance and the shape of their body after pregnancy they do not feel that their spouse would be attracted to them as much. Worried about body size/shape Self-image changed Had to think of themselves are more motherly beings than sexual beings “Like on Saturday---I wanted to wear my leather mini-skirt. But I had second thoughts…I’m a mother now” (Natasha, interview 3)
46. “I feel I’m not contributing to the finances” (Sylvia, interview 3)
47. Debate whether or not to go back to work or to stay at home with the child
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49. The Perfect Candidate: Parents divorced at very young age Dealt with alcoholism on both sides of her family Father diagnosed with prostate cancer and died 3 weeks before the birth of her child Her dear friend David committed suicide a couple years prior Defined herself by her success in her job Physical problems in terms of being able to get pregnant—short cervix, In vitro fertilization, miscarriage; Had an emergency C-Section Her health was in danger after giving birth—herniated uterus Rowan had to wear a harness for her jaundice Traveling back and forth from NY to LA—new apartment Didn’t have a baby nurse Her and Chris were inexperienced parents
50. Possible Causes: Emotional/Biological Changes: --Hormone fluctuations (drop in estrogen levels) Physical Changes: --sleep deprived, exhausted – Lifestyle Changes: --having the responsibility for this little, fragile baby --added stress of routines changing –financial shifts –difficulty breastfeeding –lack of family/social support
51. Potential Risk Factors: Previous history/predisposition to depression Experienced Premenstrual Distress Disorder (PMDD) Stressful events occurring during pregnancy Difficulty in marriage Feelings of loss (occupational, physical, social) Child was unplanned/unwanted
52. More Risk Factors: Caesarian birth History of infertility/fertility treatments Illness in the infant Isolation from family and friends, a poor match in temperament between mother and child. Thyroid problems
53. Levels of PPD: 1.) Postpartum “Baby Blues—less severe, most common. 2.) Postpartum Depression—moderately severe --affects app. 8%-20% of women 3.) Postpartum Psychosis—most severe
54. Level 1—”Baby Blues” Few days after childbirth Sadness Tearfulness Irritability Hormonal changes (like PMS) If persistent can develop into PPD --Affects app. 80% of women
61. --Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy—trying to get rid of the negative thoughts of self, world and future and adding reinforcement (Craig & Dobson 1995) (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979)
70. Many focus on the negative events rather than the positive
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72. Q: True or False-- PPD is just for mothers A: FALSE—fathers can also develop a form of PPD because they also have to adjust to a new lifestyle with the addition of a new baby into the family. They are affected by the emotional state of the mother and also have an added responsibility to care for the child while the mother is suffering.
73. Dads cry too… In Shields’ book, she recounts of a moment that he husband Chris broke down: “Chris went out to the store to buy a changing table…He came back sooner and without the table…He looked up at me, his eyes filled with tears, and broke down…’There were women in the store who were happy, Brooke! They were smiling and happy to have their babies! What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you happy? You don’t look at Rowan or sing to her or talk to her. Why? What’s happening?”
74. Q: True or False: The child of a parent with PPD is unaffected. A: False—Some studies have shown that the child/children of parents who have or are suffering from PPD are directly affected. An infant of a PPD mother can have irregular sleep, more depressed affect, higher norepinephrine levels, and a lower vagal tone (which indicates that the infant is undergoing stress and the body is reacting by releasing norepinephrine and the heart rate actually is slower in order for the body to deal with stressful activities—heart rate decreases and sympathetic activity increases.
75. When toddlers these children are associated with having delays in verbal skills, having behavior problems, and the school-readiness skills lack. When the children get older they tend to develop some behavioral/emotional problems—this puts them at a higher risk for developing depression themselves. (Clark, Tluczek, Wenzel 2003
76. Public Criticism One of the major players in the criticism of Brooke’s treatment for her PPD has been Actor and recent Scientologist Tom Cruise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_wjp262RY However, on August 31, 2006, Tom Cruise went to Brooke Shields’ home and personally apologized to her for his remarks.
77. Public Support Many other celebrities have extended their support for Brooke Shields. For instance, Oprah Winfrey, comedian Tom Arnold, Rosie O’Donnell, and Matt Lauer Rosie says, “After watching Tom on Oprah and then everything else in the free world, I think I may need to up my meds. Shout out to Brooke. You saved a lot of women by telling the truth.” Tom Arnold says, “I just think he’s [Cruise] is ignorant…I thought that Brooke Shields is very brave, because celebrities, we want to look cool, and (admitting) you wanted to kill yourself and maybe your baby is a very vulnerable thing for her to do…I think Tom is a little out of touch.”
78. “Down Came the Rain” “At long last, her dream of being a mommy had come true. But instead of being relieved and happy, all she could do was cry. : “At first I thought what I was feeling was just exhaustion, but with it came an overriding sense of panic that I had never felt before. Rowan kept crying, and I began to dread the moment when Chris would bring her back to me. I started to experience a sick sensation in my stomach; it was as if a vise were tightening around my chest. Instead of the nervous anxiety that often accompanies panic, a feeling of devastation overcame me. I hardly moved. Sitting on my bed, I let out a deep, slow, guttural wail. I wasn't simply emotional or weepy (pg.65)
79. Taking Action Press Conference for Mother’s Act on May 11, 2007 Sen. Robert Mendez & Brooke Shields Above: from left to right) Former First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Senator Menendez, Brooke Shields, Sylvia Lasalandra and Susan Dowd Stone
80. New Legislature Mothers Act: The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act (S. 1375) Endorsed by Senators Menendez and Durbin (NJ) “M. President, in the United States, ten to twenty percent of women suffer from a disabling and often undiagnosed condition known as postpartum depression. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of this condition and often do not receive the treatment they need. That is why I am introducing the MOTHERS Act, so that women no longer have to suffer in silence and feel alone when faced with this difficult condition” --Senator Robert Mendez--NJ This new act will require hospitals to educate the parents and families before they leave the hospital on the possibility of developing PPD after childbirth & give screenings for symptoms.
81. Further Progress and Recent News October 15, 2007—Melanie Blocker Stokes Act passed in US House by a vote of 382 to 3! Postpartum Research and Care Act. On October 20, 2007, Postpartum Support International (PSI) will be holding a fundraiser in New Jersey—which has also been designated as Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in NJ (Both Sen. Menendez and Brooke Shields will be honored) October 24, 2007 is BlogHers Day to support the MOTHERS Act write a blog or call your local senator to show support.
82. “Out Came the Sun…” “Rowan remembers every motion to every portion of the song. I stare in amazement as her chubby baby hands with their dimpled knuckles intertwine while she pretends to be the spider climbing up the water spout. I can’t help myself and, plopping myself down in front of her, I quickly join in the song…With tears filling my eyes, we both reach up our hands and float them down like raindrops in front of us. As our fingers touch, I whisper, ‘Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.’” (Shields, 222)