Postpartum Progress

Highlights of Upcoming PSI Conference in Houston

If you want to know why it is DEFINITELY worth your while to attend Postpartum Support International's upcoming annual conference in Houston, here are a few very good reasons:

Margaret Howard, PhD will be speaking.  She is the Director of the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, which is one of the nation's leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns.  It's the only hospital where pregnant and postpartum women can come and be treated for all symptomatic conditions. It is also the first and only hospital in the country that allows the infant to stay with his mother during treatment if inpatient hospitalization is warranted.   To read a very touching story of a mother who greatly benefited from their program, click here.  Anyone who is attempting to bring cutting edge perinatal programs into a community-based facility needs to hear the story of how our nation got its first comprehensive program for women and their infants suffering from perinatal mood disorders.

Take advantage of PSI's Certificate Training in setting up support group services for women suffering from perinatal mood disorders.  Or, take part in advanced clinical training for professionals already serving this population -- this session will provide case presentations and application of efficacious treatment models for affective recovery.

Thomas Hale, RPh, PhD, will tackle the sensitive issue of medication use during breastfeeding.  This topic is always of great interest to mothers, clinicians and healthcare professionals.  Hale is professor of Pediatrics and assistant dean of Research at Texas Tech University School of Medicine and author of the widely-used reference book "Medications and Mothers' Milk".

Lucy Puryear, MD, will present on psychiatric illness during pregnancy.  Renowned in her field of pregnancy-related mood disorders, Dr. Puryear will walk us through the effects on the fetus and how these can be minimized with appropriate care.  Puryear, of Baylor University, is author of "Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting".

Hear from George Parnham, Andrea Yates' defense attorney and tireless advocate for women whose mental status is not appropriately considered when tragedy leads them into the criminal justice system.  He will provide an outline of what recourses women may have in defense.

Valerie Plame Wilson, former CIA agent and author of the bestselling book "Fair Game", will discuss her battles with PPD and how she overcame it.  Wilson will be the keynote speaker at Friday night's banquet.

Anne Dunnewold, PhD, will discuss culture and motherhood, and offer sound advice to counter feelings of guilt that may arise when one is not the "perfect mother".  (Is there any such thing?)  Dunnewold is the author of the recent book "Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box".

There is much, much more.  Postpartum Support International is the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to eradicating the ignorance around pregnancy-related mood disorders in every community worldwide! It will be a great time to network with other sufferers and healthcare professionals who specialize in treating us.  I hope to see you there!!

IMPORTANT:  Early bird registration ends this Friday, May 16th.   Get your registration in now to save $50.   Online registration is now available.  Hilton's special hotel rate of $119 will end May 16th as well -- trust me, the room rate triples afte the 16th, so hurry!

(Thanks to Deborah Sorenson, Sherry Duson and Susan Stone for helping me put together the highlights of the conference!)

PPD Walk In Chicago Suburbs on May 10

Oops ... here's another PPD event this weekend that I didn't even know about.  So if you can't make it to Rhode Island or Long Island, but you're anywhere near Chicagoland, try this one on for size:

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network will be holding its Annual 1-Mile Walk for Postpartum Depression Prevention and Awareness. The walk, in cooperation with the Schaumburg Park District, will take place at Volkening Lake, 900 West Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg.

Hope Feels Good Mom Needs Your Support

Warrior Chicks -- please head on over to the Hope Feels Good blog and tell this mom who is suffering that you are with her.  We all need to be there for each other because no one understands like we do.

PPD In Men Hurts Childhood Development

A U.S. psychologist said a study of fathers who suffer postpartum depression suggests the condition can hurt child development.  James Paulson of Eastern Virginia Medical School said 10 percent of fathers with 9-month-old children suffered from clinical depression, compared with 5 percent of other men the same age, USA Today reported Wednesday.  The study involved 4,500 new fathers.  Paulson said depressed fathers read less to their children than did fathers who weren't depressed. By the time the children were 2 years old, those who had depressed fathers had somewhat smaller vocabularies.  A British study found children of depressed fathers were nearly twice as likely to be defiant, disobedient and hostile, USA Today said.

Here is some more information from Dr. Shoshanna Bennett on postpartum depression in dads.

Postpartum Mood Disorder Event June 12th in Spokane

Postpartum Support International of Washington and the Council for Children & Families will host "Postpartum Mood Disorders: A Community Discussion of PPMDs" on June 12th from 10:30am to 5pm at the Downtown Spokane Public Library.  Presentations will include information on the cultural implications of PPMDs, the importance of early assessment and diagnosis, and the wellness model of treating PPMDs.  All are welcome.  The event is free and lunch will be provided.  To RSVP, email wcpcan@wcpcan.wa.gov.

Two Races This Weekend to Support PPD Programs

Just a reminder ...

If you're anywhere near Rhode Island this Saturday, the Stepping Out of the Darkness 5k and 2 mile road race will be held at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket. The walk is at 9am and the 5k road race is at 9:30am.  The race will support the Women's & Infants Hospital Day Program for postpartum mood disorder sufferers. 

And, if you're anywhee near Long Island, the Sounds of Silence Foundation for the Awareness of Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression's 1st Annual 5k Run/Walk/Stroller Walk will also be held this Saturday at 9am at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh. Race proceeds and donations to the Sounds of Silence Foundation will benefit the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Inc.

Study Finds Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Effective For Identifying Women At High Risk for PPD

The Journal of Women's Health reported this week the results of research comparing three screening instruments used to identify women with postpartum depression during the first 6 months after delivery -- the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS). The study, conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, concluded that administering the EPDS by phone at 6-8 weeks postpartum was an efficient and accurate way to identify women at high risk for PPD.  For more information, click the link above.

New Support Group & Treatment Program for PPD in Des Moines

According to the Des Moines Register, women experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression have a new resource in Des Moines that offers screening, assessment, treatment and a support group, all free of charge.

"The small group of moms that meets weekly is a component of the program offered by Visiting Nurse Services", said Donna Richard-Langer, manager of mental health services for Visiting Nurse Services ...
The Visiting Nurse Services Postpartum Depression Partnership Program is a collaboration between Visiting Nurse Services, the Wellmark Foundation and the Postpartum Depression Task Force of Des Moines, of which Visiting Nurse Services is a member ... Treatment can involve just the individual, or therapy for the couple or the whole family, she said. Another option is the support group, Motherhood and Moods, which meets every Monday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 606 E. Ninth St. Child care is provided."

Psych Central Reviews New Women & Depression Brochure from NAMI

Dr. John Grohol over at Psych Central offers up his assessment of the new Women & Depression brochure put out by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  He specfically mentions how postpartum depression is covered:

Postpartum depression, for instance, is a very real and serious concern for many women after childbirth. Oddly, however, it is mentioned briefly only once in the entire brochure. This would’ve been an ideal opportunity to dispel many of the common misconceptions about this type of depression unique to women, but the brochure largely fails to do so.

To read the rest of his critique, click here. 

Speaking of NAMI, I've actually always been bothered by the fact that NAMI doesn't include postpartum mood disorders as a specific set of illnesses in the Inform Yourself section at the forefront of its website.  See for yourself here and here.  That makes no sense to me, and I hope they'll update their site to include more information, as well as a link to Postpartum Support International. 

Grant Alert: Building Healthier Communities in Idaho, Oregon, Utah & Washington

For all you researchers and healthcare providers out there, a potential grant in the Northwest US for the postpartum mood disorder arena:

Newly Launched Regence Foundation to Support Health Care
        Reform in Northwest

Deadline: Open

The Regence Group, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/
Intermountain region, has announced the launch of its corporate
foundation. A 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization, the Regence
Foundation ( http://www.regencefoundation.org/ ) will partner
with organizations driving significant change in health care
delivery and accessibility in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washing-
ton.

The foundation estimates it will contribute $2.5 million in its
first year and $4 million per year thereafter to organizations
addressing its three funding priorities: Building Healthier
Communities -- supporting innovative programs that address core
problems in the health care system; Transforming Health Care --
creating an environment where consumers partner with physicians
to make informed health care decisions; and End-Of-Life -- help-
ing to transform how end-of-life is approached within the health
care system.

The foundation will award grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organ-
izations in support of projects that address the foundation's
strategic goals in each of its three program areas. Grants must
be used to serve residents of Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and/or
Washington.

Letters of Inquiry are currently being accepted for the Building
Healthier Communities and Transforming Health Care program
areas. End-Of-Life applications may be submitted beginning
September 1, 2008.

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted by eligible organizations
at any time throughout any given year. Complete foundation in-
formation, grant guidelines, and online eligibility question-
naire are available at the Regence Foundation Web site.

RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15012799/regencefdn

Why Are We So Guilty About Being Depressed?

How many women feel like this mom, who writes about her uncertainty as to whether she's suffering from postpartum depression and the guilt she feels for even being sad when she is so blessed?   

"Even hearing the words 'postpartum depression' pisses me off. What's there to be depressed about? I have a beautiful healthy daughter, a very hands-on husband who does more than his fair share, we're both employed in an economically uncertain time, and we have a roof overhead and food on our plate."

It makes me so sad that we blame ourselves for being depressed, and get mad at ourselves for not appreciating how good we have it, as though we've generated the depression ourselves.  That's just society talking, telling us that somehow or other we're at fault for getting depression.  Somewhere someone is starving, so what the hell is our problem, right?!!  If we'd just learn to be more grateful for everything we have we wouldn't have this problem, right?!!!!  Wrong. 

Even the most self-actualized, fully appreciative of us get postpartum mood disorders.  It is an illness.  Period.  It's a bad case of brain flu that clouds our perceptions and prevents us from experiencing joy.   

One day I hope every man, woman and child who experiences depression in any form will no longer feel any guilt or shame.   

PSI Seeking To Fill Open Board Positions

There are several open positions with the Executive Committee and Board of Postpartum Support International.  These positions are very important to the continued success of PSI and require people with dedication and experience in their respective areas.  Below is a brief explanation of each:

PSI Fundraising Chair -- Chairs the PSI Fundraising Committee.  It shall be the responsibility of the Fundraising Committee to actively seek funding sources for PSI programs and operations through private donations, grant opportunities, and corporate or foundation sponsorship of PSI projects.  It is expected that a minimum of four grant proposals each year will be submitted.  The Committee will reach out to PSI members on an annual basis to request donations and to request information on possible funding/grant sources.

PSI Website Chair -- The PSI Website Chair will head up the PSI Web Committee.  It is the responsibility of this committee to act as the liaison between the webmaster and the Board and other committees, to ensure that necessary changes and postings to the website are accomplished in a timely manner.

PSI Secretary -- The PSI Secretary is responsible for taking and keeping all board meeting minutes.  The Secretary is also responsible for maintaining copies of the Bylaws and policies.

PSI Board Member-At-Large (2 positions) -- People with expertise in non-profit management, mental health, grant writing and/or member recruitment/retention. 

Additionally, each board member is responsible for the following:

• Promote PSI's mission
• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings (most are via toll-free conference call)
• Be familiar with PSI policies, history and current goals
• Read and understand the bylaws
• Attend the annual conference (mandatory)
• Attend the annual board retreat (mandatory)
• Contribute $1000 per year to PSI while serving on the Board (this may be in the form of a direct donation, in-kind donation, or grant or other donation obtained through your efforts)

If you are interested in one of these positions and have the necessary skills and experience, please submit the application below to psioffice@postpartum.net .

Download psiboard_nomination_form1.doc

Depression Affects Interaction Between Mom & Baby

According to an article in Medical News Today called "Depression Turns Off The Music in the Mother-Baby Dance,"  depressed moms respond less sensitively and more negatively to their infants: 

As part of a study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Dr. Alison Fleming, together with her student, Andrea Gonzalez, and collaborator, Meir Steiner, played recordings of newborns' cries. Depressed women, she says, showed more anxiety in response to the pain cry than new mothers who aren't depressed.

"We know that, compared to non-depressed mothers, depressed moms respond less sensitively and more negatively to their infants," says Fleming, a researcher from the University of Toronto (Mississauga). "In this case, their anxiety and their negative feelings could affect their ability to soothe their babies and cope with their distress."

Fleming describes the mother-baby relationship as a dance: baby smiles, mom smiles back; baby vocalizes, mom vocalizes back. Depressed mothers, she has found, have more difficulty interacting with their babies - they don't take part in the dance, as it were.

"They may show little positive affect," she says. "Or they may become agitated and overly - but inappropriately - responsive."

Fleming wants to know more about why women with post-partum depression respond so differently to their babies. So for her next research study (also funded by CIHR), she and her colleagues will use functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, to see what is happening in the brains of depressed and non-depressed mothers while they look at pictures or hear cries of their babies. A better understanding of how the brain functions in women with postpartum depression could lead to possible interventions, as well as programs to prevent the depression and assist in child development.

I know in my case my son seemed to cry incessantly.  He had colic.  Did I cause the colic by my extreme anxiety, or did the colic give me extreme anxiety?  Did I overreact to his crying?  Was I more stressed out by it than the "normal" mom?  I had such a hard time when he was upset.  I would physically feel like curling up into a ball and hiding in a dark closet.  I felt like I couldn't handle it and had no idea how to help him feel better, and that it was my fault if I couldn't get him to stop.  I'm glad they are doing this research.

PPD Support for Spanish-Speaking Families

Postpartum Support International offers Spanish-language support on its toll-free warmline, at 1-800-944-4PPD (press 1 for Spanish).  Andrea Zas Jimenez is the support coordinator for the Spanish Warmline, and Stephanie Morales will be coordinating PSI's national resource list for Spanish-speaking support.  If you know of resources in the U.S. to help Spanish-speaking families, please send it to Stephanie at stephaniemoralesmft@hotmail.com. 

Two PPD Advocates Win Eli Lilly Welcome Back Award

Eli Lilly and Company is honoring six inspiring winners at the 10th annual Welcome Back Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 3.  For the past decade, the Welcome Back Awards has recognized individuals for their outstanding commitments to mental health, donating nearly half a million dollars to not- for-profit organizations on behalf of program honorees.

Lilly established the Welcome Back Awards in 1998 to fight the stigma associated with depression and to promote the understanding that depression is treatable.  Each year, an independent panel of national mental health leaders recognizes five individuals for their outstanding achievements, and Lilly awards donations ranging between $10,000 and $15,000 to the not-for-profit organization of each winner's choice.  Two of the 2008 winners are major advocates in the field of postpartum mood disorders:

Lifetime Achievement:  Mary Jo Codey, West Orange, N.J.
Mary Jo Codey's personal experiences with postpartum depression during both her pregnancies opened her eyes to the impact that limited knowledge and understanding of postpartum depression had in her community and throughout her state.  As the first lady of New Jersey, Codey seized the opportunity presented by her husband's 14 months as governor from 2004 to 2006 to bring attention to the condition through public appearances and interviews.  She courageously detailed her experiences with an illness that many find difficult to understand.  In addition, Codey played a key role in developing, and served as spokesperson for, a widely successful statewide postpartum depression education campaign, "Recognizing Postpartum Depression: Speak Up When You are  Down."  She also inspired New Jersey's groundbreaking Postpartum Depression Screening and Education law.  On the national level, Codey has lobbied on Capitol Hill in support of legislation designed to support research and education relating to postpartum depression and psychosis and provide support services for sufferers.

Psychiatry:  Margaret Spinelli, M.D., New York, N.Y.
Margaret Spinelli has been passionate about solving the problems of those around her since she was young.  An inherent desire to help others led her to a career in nursing.  While working with impoverished women at a Brooklyn clinic, Spinelli became interested in learning more about the mental health of expectant mothers.  Now considered a leading expert in the field of perinatal psychiatry, Spinelli has been touring the world, lecturing and teaching on the subject for the past 20 years.  Her groundbreaking work has focused on researching and evaluating women who have committed infanticide due to postpartum mental disorders, and she has performed a significant amount of pro bono work for women with psychiatric illnesses.  Spinelli continues to find her work not only rewarding, but also therapeutic as she recognizes that for every mother she treats, there is a child (or children) who benefits.

"For the past decade, the Welcome Back Awards has been honoring individuals in the depression community who have challenged the status quo by designing, developing and facilitating programs that bring awareness to the condition and relief to those who suffer from it," said John Hayes, M.D., vice president of Lilly Research Laboratories and global brand development team leader of neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company.  "It is important for Lilly to recognize these unique voices in the depression community as a way to inspire them to continue their good work and promote recovery.  I am honored to present Welcome Back Awards, now in its tenth year, to these admirable individuals."

Nominations for the 2009 WBA may be submitted by anyone wishing to be recognized for his or her outstanding achievements in the depression community or wishing to recognize someone else.  For more information, call 800-463-6440 or visit http://www.welcomebackawards.com/.