Jenny's PTSD, Baby's Cleft Lip: Impact on Mental Health of New Mother - Essay Sample

Introduction

Jenny is a mentally ill patient that has been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Now, as a new mother and this situation are impacting her current medical state. The condition previously developed from her period serving in Iran. Samantha, her child, was born with a cleft lip. Which was one of the additive conditions that had led to the worsening of her mental situation. Eric's absence during this phase due to him being held up at work.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The condition with her child and the absence of her husband has most likely worsened Jenny's state of mind. Her level of PTSD, most probably advancing (Peeler et al., 2018). Her situation is impacting adversely on her relationship between her, Samantha and Eric. She has, however, learned to appreciate her child somehow and be comfortable which her physical appearance. About her husband, she has started developing a problematic sense concerning his routine. Such could lead to aspects of mistrust, crawling of the levels of closeness they previously had. Her attitude towards Eric changing as the days go by from his continued absence.

It is resulting from the feeling of alienation and lack of connection that they previously had due to reduced communication periods. Eric always working deprives Jenny of the company that anyone with her mental state would desire during such recovery periods. Study showing that one might feel alienated and not be entirely in control of her statements when she tries to address the same (Cheung, 2018). Such a situation should be well explained to Eric. It is by getting him to understand the procedures and activities that would aid in Jenny's recovery. It is considering that any patient in her condition needs a more sane guardian to regulate her activities. Attention to the possible harm that her frustrations cold be relayed to Samantha.

Jenny is visited with relatives and friends who come to see how she is fairing on after birth. Most of her visitors have very wonderful relationships. Observing them and the way they interact with their children who have no defects has made her develop a sense of envy towards them. The impact that social media has established on social interactions. Jenny gets to see the happy family photos that everyone close to her and has a child posts on these sites. Jenny did not get the opportunity to take such perfect photos with Samantha and Eric during Samantha's birth. She explains to me how this is also affecting her and getting her depressed.

I am afraid that Jenny might have developed postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder. As a medical officer, I am then tasked with establishing the exact situation that Jenny is experiencing. Attention to the difficulty in differentiating between postpartum PTSD and postpartum depression (Peeler et al., 2018). Jenny's situation is rather precise since from our interactions, and she doesn't say of experiencing memories or flashbacks of the wonderful moments she previously had before her pregnancy. She is not troubled by not having the closeness that she previously had with Eric. She is, however, concerned about what the future holds and what problems are existing in her relationship.

She is no longer finding joy in the activities that were previously a lot of fun within her relationship with Eric. Jenny is seeking help by inquiring for advice on how she could keep away from remembering the traumatic conditions that she was previously exposed to. She desires to restructure her life and general lifestyle so that memories of the adverse moments would go away. Jenny explains to me the expectations that she had after delivery. More sanity in the way Eric allocated her and Samantha time. The expectation of going out and having wonderful walks as a happy family that was now inexistent.

References

Cheung, S.L.F. (2018). Impact of maternal childbirth trauma on mother-child bonding, PTSD, and depression. Alliant International University.

Peeler, S., Stedmon, J., Chung, M.C., Skirton, H. (2018). Women's experiences of living with postnatal PTSD. Midwifery, 56, 70-78.