Relationship between exhaustion and postnatal depression

Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
Caltabiano, Nerina J.;Caltabiano, Marie L.
Marie Caltabiano
Abstract

Dix (1987) defined postnatal depression as the hormonally and biochemically induced reaction to the body's upheaval in giving birth. It may be characterized by a general depression, dullness, lethargy, and lack of joy or zest for life. Boyce (1988) maintains that sleep disturbance and difficulty falling asleep are characteristic of postnatal depression. For Boyce postpartum depression was considered to be a mood disorder following childbirth. The multiple roles many women have (see Caltabiano & Slomka, 1995) coupled with sleep deprivation would lead to physical exhaustion of mothers. It is argued here that physical exhaustion may affect postnatal depression rather than being a descriptor of postnatal depression.

Journal

Psychological Reports

Publication Name

Psychological Reports

Volume

79

ISBN/ISSN

1558-691X

Edition

N/A

Issue

1

Pages Count

2

Location

N/A

Publisher

Ammons Scientific

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.2466/pr0.1996.79.1.225