Symptoms of Postnatal PTSD or Birth Trauma

Recent study has shown that childbirth is a potentially traumatic event, and can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in postpartum life. Several markers are associated with the condition, some occurring before and some after its occurrence. These include a negative outlook on pregnancy and childbirth, impaired bonding with the child, and depressive features, as well as deterioration in the marital relationship.

In most cases of postnatal PTSD, the patient develops symptoms within one month of a traumatic delivery. Some women may experience a delay of months or even years before symptoms start to appear. Symptom severity may vary between women, with some having significantly troubling symptoms constantly, while others report the waxing and waning of symptoms.

Symptoms

PSTD is characterized by three distinct sets of symptoms, namely:

1. Intrusion

This refers to the occurrence of intrusive and unwelcome thoughts about the traumatic experience. This may take the form of:

  • Flashbacks in which the patient actually relives the fear and horror of the trauma
  • Troubling dreams or nightmares
  • Seeing the images or feeling the sensations associated with the trauma repeatedly leading to re-experiencing the trauma
  • Mental distress on coming into contact with the perceived cause or any stimulus or situation associated with the trauma
  • Hyper-reactivity to such situations or associated stimuli
  • Physical pain, sweating, nausea or trembling
  • Over-introspection and useless questions such as “Why did this happen to me?”, and “How could I have avoided it?” which keep the trauma alive without resolving anything

2. Avoidance or numbing responses

Patients with PTSD do not want to be reminded of the bad experience they had. They adopt various means such as preventing any reference to the situation in which they suffered trauma. This may be through:

  • Avoiding all thoughts or feelings, or talks, about the trauma
  • Avoiding all activities, people, or settings which are linked to the trauma
  • Experiencing amnesia around the traumatic situation in an attempt to tune it out
  • Overworking or using hobbies as a form of avoiding dealing with the memories of the trauma
  • Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities or hobbies
  • Disinterest or detachment towards people, objects, or settings which would ordinarily be of emotional value
  • Feelings of being lonely, abandoned, alienated, or not having any friends
  • Feelings of hopelessness about the future

3. Hyperarousal

The patient with full-fledged PTSD will have symptoms of increased alertness and tension, constantly ready to react to threats, or displaying overactive emotions, such as:

  • Insomnia, difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Frequent outbursts of anger or irritability
  • Lack of concentration
  • Hypervigilance for signs of harm
  • Overactive startle responses

These symptoms may be associated with depression, and last for more than one month. In addition they are found to interfere with the mother’s normal functioning at home, with society, or in the workplace.

Associated problems

People with PTSD may also suffer from related feelings and disorders, such as:

  • Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or even phobias
  • Risky or self-destructive behavior including substance abuse and alcohol abuse
  • Physical symptoms such as chest pain, abdominal pain, or headaches

Their emotional fragility or withdrawal may lead to their becoming unable to cultivate lasting friendships, and to the severing of close relationships. This may add to the traumatic experience.

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4168363/table/TB407-1/
  2. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Post-traumatic-stress-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Further Reading

  • All Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Content
  • What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Causes
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Diagnosis
More…

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2018

Written by

Dr. Liji Thomas

Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.

Source: Read Full Article