Postpartum Depression and Treatment Implications - Essay Example

Let me tell you something: it is not a cure and it is actually lethal. These drugs are dangerous . . . There is a hormonal thing that is going on that is . . . scientifically, you can prove that. But when you talk about emotional chemical imbalances in people, there is no science behind that.” Tom Cruise speaking about Paxil as a postpartum treatment (Neill 2005). “Comments like those made by Tom Cruise are a disservice to mothers everywhere. To suggest that I was wrong to take drugs to deal with my depression, and that instead I should have taken vitamins and exercised shows an utter lack of understanding about postpartum depression and childbirth in general.” Brooke Shields response to Tom Cruise’s comments (Neill 2005). The topic of postpartum depression has gotten much more attention in recent years due to mass media and violent incidents between mothers and their new infants. The most famous public feud on the subject was between Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields. Cruise spoke about Shield‘s: ‘misguided’ use of the anti-depressant Paxil, while declaring the actress career as over. Cruise speaks of his disappointment to learn Shields used Paxil to fight post-natal depression following the birth of her daughter Rowan…Cruise, who claims to have helped people fight drug addictions through his controversial Scientology religion, says the Suddenly Susan actress should have used vitamins to help her feelings of despair. Many hold the idea that postpartum depression is just the baby blues. Since the majority of the population feels that women only have baby blues and need to take vitamins, not have a real medical treatment, many women do not get the help needed to prevent tragedy. The solution for the postpartum depression misconception problem is education for everyone involved in a pregnant woman‘s life and the pregnant woman. Tom Cruise came out to Billy Bush on the TV show Access Hollywood about his views on postpartum depression (WENN.com). Since Tom Cruise practices Scientology, he does not believe in psychoanalyst or anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, or other medication to control moods. In the interview, Tom Cruise expressed: "These drugs are dangerous. I have actually helped people come off. ‘When you talk about postpartum, you can take people today, women, and what you do is you use vitamins. There is a hormonal thing that is going on, scientifically, you can prove that. But when you talk about emotional, chemical imbalances in people, there is no science behind that‘. (WENN.com 2005) Since Cruise is a popular actor, many people might be influenced by his comments without consulting their doctor. As a follower of Scientology, the ideal of using prayer, vitamins, and exercise would appeal to Cruise. However Cruise was mistaken about research and science on chemical imbalances. Neurological research has identified over fifty (50) neurotransmitters in the brain. Research also tells us that several neurotransmitters are related to mental health problems – Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid). Too much or too little of these neurotransmitters are now felt to produce psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD. (Carver 2009) If Cruise had been educated about postpartum depression and chemical imbalances, he might not have made these ludicrous statements. The misconceptions of postpartum depression are appealing to men and women that have never gone through postpartum depression. The women actually experiencing these feelings and medical changes are made to feel that it is their fault for not managing their emotions. The postpartum depression misunderstandings feed into individual’s like Cruise’s theories. Becks states “The most significant factor in the duration of the postpartum depression is the length of delay to adequate treatment.” With all the misinformation and advice from movie stars women are reluctant to get help. This only makes the problem grow. The problem becomes that Cruise and the churches are not medical doctors. The medical health of a woman should be first considered by her doctor, not local celebrities. Medication is a taboo subject, even among the mothers’ themselves. Tom Cruise is not the only individual against medication for postpartum depression. It is true, women that do not have mental disorders will become suicidal and homicidal under the influence of medication if not properly monitored. Doctors can hand out antidepressants and other medications irresponsibly. However, the women that need the medication and counseling are not receiving the help due to ignorance of the general public. Education could help the public and families of women with postpartum depression recognize the signs of impending disaster. The women might be more comfortable asking for help and medication if the stigma of the topic was lessened. Women with children that are told to go take vitamins feel responsible for their medical condition. This overwhelms them. The result is suicide or even homicide. Shields was overwhelmed. Becks (2002) reports “between 25% and 50% of mothers with postpartum depression have episodes lasting 6 months or longer.” Figures like these show millions of women are not receiving help. This type of information needs to be available to the public, not just misinformation given by movie stars. OBYGNs need to have this information as well. Most OBYGNs only have scarce background in psychology and chalk up crazy behavior to hormones. These doctors need to start focusing on signs of mental illness in pregnant women. Perhaps now is the time to call on doctors, particularly obstetricians and pediatricians, to screen for postpartum depression. After all, during the first three months after childbirth, you see a pediatrician at least three times. While pediatricians are trained to take care of children, it would make sense for them to talk with new mothers, ask questions and inform them of the symptoms and treatment should they show signs of postpartum depression. (Shields 2005) Medications and therapy need to be given by OBYGNs. If a patient has postpartum depression or a tendency toward postpartum depression, then the OBYGN needs to have information or a better education to handle the situation. It would help if the OBYGN had a screening process for women in an effort to identify the symptoms of a woman prone to postpartum depression. Legislation has been introduced. The “Mother’s Bill” has created much controversy. Advocates are still fighting for this measure to this day. From the beginning Shields promoted this type of bill. Below are her thoughts: In a press conference Shields said, ‘I wish I had known, I wish I had been informed in some way, but nobody had said anything to me, and ignorance is a potentially deadly, deadly thing.’ Later in her statement, she declared, ‘The knowledge of postpartum is a tool that I believe all women deserve, and this bill represents that tool and its an easy gift to give to women everywhere.’ (Schimelpfening 2007) Many mothers are frightened of this bill, those with and without postpartum depression. Knowledge seems to be the issue. No woman wants to feel abnormal. Society has made women with postpartum depression feel abnormal. However this bill does not affect women that do not have postpartum depression. It can get information to the women that need the help. Education and information is never a bad thing. It just helps inform postpartum women, their families, and society as well. Postpartum depression should be taken more seriously. The solution is more information about the situation. Mothers, families, and the public need to be informed about postpartum depression by doctors, not actors or mothers with no medical degree. Information is the key to this problem. The whole country needs to help women with postpartum depression, not discourage them. Medication and therapy need to be encourage, not discouraged. In the end, education is the only way to stop misconceptions about postpartum depression. References Beck, Cheryl Tatano DNSc, CNM, FAAN. (2002). Theoretical Perspectives of Postpartum Depression and Their Treatment Implications. The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing: September/October 2002 - Volume 27 - Issue 5 - pp 282-287. Online. Carver, J.M. (2009). The ‘chemical imbalance’ in mental health problems. 16 Feb. 2009. Mental Health Matters. Online. Neill, U.S. (2005). Tom Cruise is dangerous and irresponsible. J Clin Invest. 2005 August 1; 115(8). Online. Shields, B. (2005). War of Words. 1 June. 2005. The New York Times. Online. Schimelpfening, N. (2007). Brooke Shields supports postpartum depression. About.com. Online. WENN.com. (2005). Cruise slams Shields’ drug use. 25 May 2005. Hollywood.com. Online. Read More