An important oversight
...eeling exhausted, changes in appetite, loss of sexual interest, crying spells, feelings of guilt, sadness, anger, feelings of despair/worthlessness/helplessness/pessimism, forgetfulness, difficulty in making decisions, suicidal thoughts, anxiety/panic attacks, feeling empty, restless, irritable, difficulty completing simple tasks like dishes or laundry, lack enjoyment or interest in doing anything, persistent body aches and pains (headaches, back and neck) or digestive disorders not caused by physical illness, poor concentration, or feel hopeless and helpless most or all of the time. If a person suffers from at least five of these symptoms, they could be clinically depressed (Misri, American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines, Bottom Line)”. Interestingly, Mrs. D told her doctor she had several of the symptoms on the above list. He told her those were the normal symptoms of grief and not to worry about clinical depression. He was wrong. The overwhelming stress these parents have gone through definitely merits attention to their psychological wellness. They need to be given references and possible treatment options! “Treatment for depression includes possible medication and various types of psychotherapy, depending on the severity and stage of the illness, the pattern of symptoms, suicidal thoughts/tendencies, patient’s preferences, cost, and availability of services (American Psychiatric Association)”. “ My sister had to diagnose herself, having fought depression in the past, and force her doctor to prescribe anti-depressant medication for her. She had to seek her own grief counselor, support group, and family therapy to address her and her family’s psychological problems associated with the loss of their child. Why? She had even given her doctor fair warning when she was checked into the hospital with her high risk pregnancy that she had a history of depression and he needed to watch her for signs of it. Can we attribute this situation to one thoughtless doctor? Unfortunately, no. None of the women on that floor, all treated by various physicians, were offered psychological support. Why? Because they didn’t use the catch phrase the medical community was looking for: “I want to kill myself.” Had any one of them used the phrase the medical community seemed to need to hear, they would have been immediately admitted into the closest mental hospital for “observation”. Is that where they would have obtained references to get the help they needed? “A study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association comparing the risk for depression among miscarrying women with women who had not been pregnant. Dr. Neugebauer’s found a significant risk in the miscarriage group. Seventy-two percent of the episodes of major depression occurred during the first month after the loss of the pregnancy. The conclusion was that women should be monitored for signs of depression during the weeks after miscarriage (Medicinenet)”. A SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) death is similar to miscarriages and a baby’s early death in its intense emotional effect on the mother and family. “After the initial disbelief, denial, or numbness begins to wear off, parents often fall into a prolonged depression. This depression can affect their sleeping, eating, ability to concentrate, and general energy level. Crying, weeping, incessant talking, and strong feelings of guilt or anger are all normal reactions. Many parents experience unreasonable fears that they, or someone in their family, may be in danger. Over-protection of surviving children and fears for the future children is a common reaction. Birthdays, holidays, and the anniversary of the child’s death can trigger periods of intense pain and suffering (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)”. Why hasn’t a connection been made between the feelings a woman and her family experience upon the early arrival and death of an infant, a miscarriage, and a SIDS death? A SIDS death is considered a tragedy. The other two, well, “there will be other babies”. How can a friend or relative help someone who just lost her baby, no matter the circumstances? Acknowledge the loss by saying you’re sorry and give them a hug. The National Mental Health Association suggests, “If possible, ask her to go for a walk. Suggest helping her cook meals that can be frozen for future use. Make her an appointment with a doctor or mental health professional if you think she is displaying depression-like symptoms (National Mental Health Association)”. Don’t just say, “call me if you need anything.” A depressed person cannot express what it is they need. They don’t know what to call and ask for. Unless you have been through this trying experience yourself, it is difficult to know what to say or do. This brings me back to suggesting the medical community make small pamphlets in association with psychologists, making suggestions for the parents, children, friends, and relatives of the family that just lost their child. This could be done as a project at the higher education levels of psychology or psychiatry and distributed nationwide to our hospitals and clinics. Can one person make a difference in the bureaucracy our hospitals have become? This paper is being forwarded to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is going directly to their neonatal unit where Hannah was born. Mrs. D is going to take it in herself. Will it change the way they handle future women and their families when they are in crisis? Will these families be given psychological support and references to the degree merited in these situations? Is it possible that the pain our family endured, especially my sister, could possibly help others? We will pass along the researched information and pray. **Help is available** NMHA Campaign for America’s Mental Health 1-800-969-6642 National Mental Health Association 1-800-969-NMHA DEPRESSION/Awareness, Recognition and 1-800-421-4211 Treatment Program (D/ART) National Depressive and Manic Depressive Assoc. 1-800-82-NDMDA National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) 1-800-950-NAMI Depression After Delivery 1-800-944-4773 HYPERLINK "http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com" www.depressionafterdelivery.com Office on Women’s Health 202-690-7650 www.4women.gov/owh/about/index.htm Postpartum Support International 805-967-7636 HYPERLINK "http://www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum" www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum National Foundation for Depressive Illness 1-800-239-1265 HYPERLINK "http://www.depression.org" www.depression.org American Psychiatric Association HYPERLINK "http://www.psych.org" www.psych.org American Psychoanalytical Association 212-752-0450 HYPERLINK "http://www.apsa.org" www.apsa.org References American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines. (2004). Major Depressive Disorder. A Patient and Family Guide. Retrieved June 25, 2004 from HYPERLINK "http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/patientfam_guide/MajorDepressive.pdf" http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/patientfam_guide/MajorDepressive.pdf Bottom Line/Personal. (June 15, 2004). Volume 25, Number 8. Sad? Depressed? When to Get Help. New York: Gail Saltz, MD. Medicinenet. (2004). Depression Risk Increased After Miscarriage. Retrieved June 24, 2004 from HYPERLINK "http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=619" http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=619 Misri, Shaila, MD, FRCP(C). Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. Retrieved June 24, 2004 from HYPERLINK "http://www.wellmother.com/postpartum.htm" http://www.wellmother.com/postpartum.htm National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2004). Fact Sheet: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Retrieved June 24, 2004 from HYPERLINK "http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/sidsfact.htm" http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/sidsfact.htm National Mental Health Association. (2004). Clinical Depression and Women. Retrieved June 24,2004 from HYPERLINK "http://www.nmha.org/ccd/support/factsheet.women.cfm" http://www.nmha.org/ccd/support/factsheet.women.cfm PAGE PAGE www.depressionafterdelivery.com www.depressionafterdelivery.com http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com/ http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com/ www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum http://www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum http://www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum www.depression.org www.depression.org http://www.depression.org/ http://www.depression.org/ www.psych.org www.psych.org http://www.psych.org/ http://www.p...