The Skriker Actor Packet

that it worsens with each child they have. Previous histories of depression or
mental illness severely increase increase chances. Young mothers often battle
more against postpartum depression. Mothers with lower incomes, who worry
about the survival of the child, are also more likely to suffer from postpartum
depression. One of the largest contributing factors is support for the mother.
Women who are in an unhealthy place with the baby’s father, or if the father is
absent have a greater risk of postpartum depression, as do mothers who have
little support from their family and friends. Women with PPD may have negative
or violent thoughts towards the baby, but they will realize these thoughts are
wrong. Women who are afraid to reach out for help when they experience these
feelings have the potential to inflict harm on themselves or attempt suicide. PPD
is treated much like depression, through counseling, therapy, and medication if
necessary (Levy).
Postpartum Psychosis
Very rarely, some women experience postpartum psychosis, in which they
cannot distinguish right from wrong regarding their thoughts towards the baby.
Only about one in every five hundred mothers actually experience postpartum
psychosis. With 4.1 million births in the USA, on average, this translates to about
4,100 women a year. However rare the condition may be, the symptoms are
extremely dangerous. Postpartum psychosis has many elements of depression
and postpartum depression, but shares symptoms with more grave illnesses, such
as schizophrenia. Women with postpartum psychosis suffer from paranoia and
hallucinations, and they are unable to distinguish reality from visions, and right
from wrong. Dr Ralph Wittenburg, who runs a screening process for postpartum
disorders in Washington D.C. says, “Postpartum psychosis is condition in which
the person loses touch with reality. Mothers hear voices, see things and feel an
irrational guilt that they've somehow done something wrong, he says. Without
treatment, women may try to hurt themselves or those around them” (Levy).
A Victim’s Story
Shelley Ash, of San Jose California, now spends her time educating women
on postpartum psychosis, after having suffered from it herself. Ash said that she
knew something was wrong right away. During the delivery she felt she was
watching the birth from above. She said she felt sick and terrified. The nurses
told her it would pass, but the feeling lingered even after she took the baby home.
She continued to suffer from extreme symptoms of depression, but Ash didn’t tell