Becoming a mother can put women under a lot of psychological pressure. Post-natal (or post-partum) depression (PND or PPD) is a well-known and very common experience. Potentially much longer lasting and more insidious, however, is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) arising from events before, during, after or throughout the whole of the birth experience.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the psychological term for a set of reactions anyone may experience when something traumatic, scary or bad happens.
It is a normal reaction to an event that involves the threat of death or injury to self or others. Only recently has it been recognized that PTSD may be suffered as a result of a traumatic birth experience.
First identified in soldiers during the Vietnam War, and previously known as Shell Shock during World War I, it is common for rape or road accident victims. Frequently we hear of events likely to result in people possibly suffering PTSD, eg bombings, hostage taking, shipwrecks, armed hold-ups, disasters like the Hillsborough Stadium crush, as well as natural disasters . . . . having a baby, also, can be such an event.
| This Website published 31 March 2003 Last updated on 12 April 2009 |
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DISCLAIMER:
The materials provided at this website are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of PTSD or as a substitute for consulting a caregiver competent to diagnose and recommend treatment for PTSD.
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