Postpartum Depression

Overview

Back in 2005, there was a debate between scientologist and actor Tom Cruise and actress Brooke Shields. Brooke Shields was very open about her use of Paxil and therapy to combat the postpartum depression she experienced after delivering her first child in 2003. During a controversial interview on the Today show, host Matt Lauer asked Tom Cruise about his views on the topic.

The postpartum period refers to the weeks following delivery. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 70% of new mothers have periods of tearfulness, sadness, and irritability, which the Association refers to as the "baby blues."

Instructions

Watch this video: Tom Cruise Chews Out Matt Lauer on Live TV (5:47)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWc_FrSwvxA

Read the articles:

• "War of Words Download War of Words https://arizonacollege.instructure.com/courses/14064/discussion_topics/300472?module_item_id=1126969
• "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal DepressionLinks to an external site."

Include supporting evidence from your chapter readings, articles, resources when creating your initial post and when responding to your peers. Connect your answer with examples from your own observations and thoughts to demonstrate understanding of the material.

Discussion Prompts

Given what you have read in this week's reading, the resources below and your online research:

2. What are your views on the various treatments for postpartum depression?
4. Do you prefer a holistic approach versus a medical approach? Or both?

Citations

• Shields, B. (2005, July 1). War of words. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/opinion/01shields.html?ei=5090en=7189d307fdb5772dex=1277870400.
• Deligiannidis, K. M., & Freeman, M. P. (2013, August 26). Complementary and alternative medicine therapies for perinatal depression. Best Practice Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 28(1), 85-95. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992885/
• LWE Batch1. (2016, July 30). Tom Cruise chews out Matt Lauer on live tv [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/pWc_FrSwvxA

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Given the context of postpartum depression PPD and the various treatments available my views lean towards a comprehensive approach that incorporates both holistic and medical interventions tailored to ... View the full answer