Philippa Bromley
Post traumatic stress disorder post childbirth versus postnatal depression: a guide for midwives
Bromley, Philippa; Hollins Martin, Caroline J.; Patterson, Jenny
Authors
Prof Caroline Hollins-Martin C.HollinsMartin@napier.ac.uk
Professor
Dr Jenny Patterson J.Patterson@napier.ac.uk
Lecturer
Abstract
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-Post Childbirth (PTSD-PC) is a powerful pathophysiological reaction that occurs in response to experiencing a traumatic birth and affects between1-6% of women. Regardless of its trigger, PTSD-PC causes significant impairment to women’s social interactions, capacity to work, and daily life. A key symptom of PTSD-PC is re-experiencing the birth in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, continual replay, intrusive thoughts, and images. When these symptoms persist beyond ‘one month’ (DSM-V definition), a diagnosis of PTSD-PC should be considered. In full awareness that there are additional mental health problems that a childbearing woman could encounter, we have elected to focus on two of the more commonly experienced diagnoses; specifically PTSD and Post Natal Depression (PND). It is important for midwives to be able to differentiate between PTSD-PC and Post Natal Depression (PND), because diagnoses and treatments differ. Generally PND is treated with antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), whilst PTSD is treated with Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Also, there is potential for a women to develop a dual diagnosis, with partner and family affected also. Clarity surrounding the differences between PND and PTSD are key to accessing appropriate diagnosis, referral, and treatment.
Citation
Bromley, P., Hollins Martin, C. J., & Patterson, J. (2017). Post traumatic stress disorder post childbirth versus postnatal depression: a guide for midwives. British Journal of Midwifery, 25(8), 484-490. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2017.25.8.484
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Jun 5, 2017 |
Online Publication Date | Aug 2, 2017 |
Publication Date | Aug 2, 2017 |
Deposit Date | Aug 15, 2017 |
Publicly Available Date | Feb 3, 2018 |
Journal | British Journal of Midwifery |
Print ISSN | 0969-4900 |
Electronic ISSN | 2052-4307 |
Publisher | Mark Allen Healthcare |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 25 |
Issue | 8 |
Pages | 484-490 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2017.25.8.484 |
Keywords | Childbirth, Mental health, Midwives, Postnatal depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder |
Public URL | http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/976436 |
Contract Date | Aug 15, 2017 |
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Recognising the differences between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-Post Childbirth (PTSD-PC) and Post Natal Depression (PND): a guide for midwives
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