Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can affect women after giving birth, and the symptoms are similar to the ones presented in major depressive disorder. It is estimated that 10 to 15% of new adult mothers develop Postpartum Depression (PPD) within the first year after giving birth -and the percentage increases up to 26% in adolescent mothers. [1]

According to a survey published in 2012 by the Paediatrics journal, the highest incidence of postpartum depression occurs amongst girls aged 15 to 19, which is twice as high as their older counterparts. [2]

Why is that?

Adolescent mothers have to face more challenges than adult mothers. A teenage mother will suddenly face multiple changes in her life: she might have to quit school and be home-schooled instead, she might also need to get a job, and her social life will change drastically. Besides all of these changes, she will also become affected by a hormonal imbalance, which can lead to depression.

Due to all the hardship adolescent mothers have to cope with, they tend to rate their child’s health and their own as suboptimal. Besides, many young mothers are already under the stress of becoming new parents, which can also be linked to postpartum depression. [2]

Unfortunately, in most cases, PPD remains undiagnosed. The main problem is that it’s not always easy to distinguish baby blues from postpartum depression. Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression is a more severe problem that shouldn’t be ignored. While mothers who experience baby blues feel sorrow for the first two weeks after delivery, mothers who suffer from postpartum depression feel an overwhelming sadness or irritability a month after childbirth. Symptoms also include trouble eating and sleeping, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, loss of pleasure, reduced sex drive, and thoughts of suicide. [3]

The best treatment available for PPD is early intervention, since this condition is extremely responsive to treatment. Once the baby is born, family members can show their support towards young mothers by helping take care of the baby to help prevent postpartum depression. Besides, family members can also encourage her to seek help if she displays long periods of sadness and tearfulness.

A study at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island found that an intervention program cut the incidence of postpartum depression in teenage mothers by 50%. [2]

The Monsenso mHealth solution can help identify PPD in young mothers at an early stage. Care providers could encourage new mothers to download the Monsenso app on their smartphones. The app will enable them to complete daily self-assessments in which they can rate themselves on relevant parameters such as their levels of stress, anxiety, tearfulness and the number of hours they slept. The Monsenso app makes it easier for adolescent mothers to reveal and share the current status of their mental health without feeling uncomfortable.

Furthermore, the Monsenso solution also enables healthcare professionals to monitor patients on a daily basis, and intervene when the system displays a patient presenting triggers or early warning signs. The clinical web portal also works as a two-way encrypted communication channel enabling patients and clinicians to always stay in touch.

References:

[1] The Environmental, Cultural, Relational and Physiological Aspects of Postpartum Depression. The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School. Joanne E. Campbell. 2010.
http://www.alfredadler.edu/sites/default/files/Campbell%20MP%202010.pdf

[2] The Mental Health of Teen Moms Matters. Diana Reese.
http://seleni.org/advice-support/article/the-mental-health-of-teen-moms-matters

[3] About Teenage Mothers & Depression. Michelle Bolyn. 2015.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/136548-about-teenage-mothers-depression/