I. INTRODUCTION
A. How could a mother ever want to kill her baby?
B. Postpartum Depression- It affects nearly 80 percent of new mothers.
C. Being a mother myself, I have experienced some of the symptoms that come along with the condition. I am here today to tell you what causes postpartum depression, what the signs are, and how it is treated.
II. BODY
A. First, lets consider the causes. PPD is commonly caused by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the psychological and lifestyle changes that comes along with motherhood. Women with a personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or abuse are more prone to postpartum depression.
B. Now lets look at the signs of PPD. Postpartum depression symptoms usually appear 3 to 10 days after delivery; they usually last from 48 hours to 2 weeks. One must have at least 5 of the following symptoms:
� Depressed mood for most of the day
� Significantly decreased interest in most activities
� Insomnia or extreme drowsiness every day
� Significant weight change w/o dieting or overeating
� Psychological agitation nearly every day
� Constant fatigue or loss of energy
� Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt on a daily basis
� Recurrent thoughts of death (your own or the baby)
C. Finally, lets examine how PPD is treated. Support from family and friends help resolve mild cases. More severe cases may require antidepressants, such as Prozac or Paxil. A visit to a good therapist would also be helpful.
III. CONCLUSION
A. PPD is a very serious condition that affects over half of the new mothers in this country. It is caused by several factors, ranging from hormonal shifts to changes in lifestyle.
B. If someone you know may be suffering from Postpartum depression- visit www.postpartum.net or call 805-967-7636