Mood and Affect Postpartum Affective/ Mood Disorders

Question 1

postpartum blues (baby blues)

Answer 1

-transient period of rapid cycling mood symptoms that usually occurs in the first 10 days after delivery (emotional liability)

Question 2

symptoms of baby blues

Answer 2

-mild depressive symptoms: anxiety irritability, mood swings, tearfulness, increased sensitivity, difficulty thinking clearly, fatigue

Question 3

manifestations of baby blues

Answer 3

-anorexia
-tearfulness
-difficulty sleeping and sadness

Question 4

when do baby blue usually resolve?

Answer 4

10-14 days

Question 5

do baby blues require treatment?

Answer 5

no

Question 6

why is it so important to follow up with baby blues?

Answer 6

20% manifest into postpartum depression

Question 7

PPD

Answer 7

-form of clinical depression

Question 8

when does PPD become evident

Answer 8

within 1st 6 weeks

Question 9

how Lon with PPD persist if untreated?

Answer 9

min of 6 months

Question 10

onset of PPD

Answer 10

slow, usually within 1st 2-4 weeks

Question 11

PPD risk factors

Answer 11

-hx of depression
-fam hx, genetic susceptibility
-1st pregnancy
-IPV, substance use
-low self-esteem
-young age (<25)
-chronic stressors
-anger or ambivalence towards pregnancy
-multifetal pregnancy
-lack of social support network

Question 12

sx/s of PPD

Answer 12

-restlessness
-worthless
-guilty
-moody
-hopeless
-sad
-overwhelmed
-loss of enjoyment
-low energy
-loss of libido

Question 13

is postpartum psychosis emergent?

Answer 13

yes

Question 14

when does postpartum psychosis generally become evident?

Answer 14

as early as 48 hours after birth or by 3 months

Question 15

what can postpartum psychosis lead to?

Answer 15

suicide or infanticide

Question 16

risk factors of postpartum psychosis

Answer 16

-personal or family history of major psychiatric illness
-previous episode of postpartum psychosis

Question 17

signs/symptoms of postpartum psychosis

Answer 17

-starts as depression but leads into following symptoms
-mood lability
-delusional beliefs
-hallucinations
-disorganized thinking
-delirium
-bizarre behavior
-mania
-thoughts of hurting self or baby

Question 18

assessment for PPD

Answer 18

Edinburgh scale

Question 19

interventions for PPD

Answer 19

-provide teaching regarding signs & importance of seeking help
-demonstrate caring
-promote interaction between birth parent and newborn
-provide forum for expressing feelings
-provide suggestions on how the family can help the birth parent & themselves
-discuss available resources with parent and family

Question 20

meds for PPD

Answer 20

-SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil)
-TCA

Question 21

meds for postpartum psychosis

Answer 21

-SSRIs
-TCAs
-Antimanics (lithium)

Question 22

can you breastfeed on lithium?