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Hi everyone! Wow, I really feel like I accomplished something, I never thought I would be creating my own videos, it is a lot of hard work but the rewards are outstanding!

1.) My name is Amy Larsen and I am working on my master's degree in nursing at CSUSB. My thesis project is about perinatal depression support groups. Today we are going to talk about perinatal depression.

2.) Perinatal depression affects women of all races and cultures. Over 50 percent of all women who have perinatal depression will go undiagnosed, suffering in silence.

3.) Perinatal depression is a mental illness that may occur during pregnancy and/or after pregnancy. Like any disease, diagnosing perinatal depression early usually leads to a better prognosis and shorter duration of illness.

4.) Many of the symptoms of perinatal depression are similar to major depression, however, perinatal depression symptoms often surrounds the infant such as fears about harming the infant.

5.) Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of perinatal depression. Women who have a history of bipolar disorder are at the highest risk.

6.) What makes postpartum psychosis so dangerous are the hallucinations and delusions. Left untreated women are at risk for harming themselves and/or their infant.

7.) There are many treatments for perinatal depression. The most important thing to do first is to get a physical exam to rule out other disorders such as hypothyroidism.

8.) Other treatments include counseling specifically cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs and SNRIs.

9.) Treatments for postpartum psychosis are similiar. Again if the mother receives treatment early, her symptoms my resolve as early as 2 - 4 weeks.

10.) The only difference in treatment for postpartum psychosis are additional pharmacological treatments such as mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics.

11.) Researchers are still trying to understand why perinatal depression occurs. One thought is the hormonal changes that happen with 48 hours after delivery.

12.) Other factors include living in poverty, physical or emotional abuse, inadequate support  system, and numerous other psychosocial factors.

13.) Some women are also genetically presdisposed to perinatal depression especially if they have a personal history of depression or other mood disorder.

14.) Perinatal depression affects not only the mother but her infant as well. Children whose mothers have untreated perinatal depression may have significant delays in bonding and development.

15.) How can perinatal depression be prevented? One of the best ways is to screen and screen often during pregnancy and up to 18 months postpartum.

16.) This mother's smiling face is a reminder that there is hope for mothers suffering from perinatal depression.

17.) Again, yes, there is hope and you do not have to suffer alone. Postpartum Support International is a nationwide collaberative working to support mothers through providing resources, support groups, and edcucation.

18.) A new resource started in September 2009 for mothers in the Riverside and San Bernardino counties, The Inland Empire Perinatal Mental Health Collaberative. They meet on a monthly basis at the Wylie Center.

19.) They recently had an articel published in the Press Enterprise in February 2010. Please chekc out the article and if you need help, please contact us at 951-680-1247.

20.) Here are my references.