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A Case of Postpartum Depression in "The Yellow Wallpaper", Part 1

© Charleen Merced

Note: This is a 2-part article and it focuses on postpartum depression in a biological way. The story, "The Yellow Wallpaper" to which this article refers to can be found in the following web address: http://wyllie.lib.virginia.edu:8086/perl...

American Gothic literature, which thrived during the late nineteen century, characterizes itself by using the concurrent themes of otherness, the occult, and fatalism, among others. Charlotte Perkins Gilman writes the story "The Yellow Wallpaper" using her own personal experience as its foundation. The story explores the theme of otherness in the form of depression, specifically, postpartum depression. The main character is diagnosed with "a temporary nervous depression- a slight hysterical tendency" (Gilman 1), what was then termed as "puerperal mania" by her husband, a doctor. Based on textual evidence, Anne can be diagnosed as suffering from postpartum depression, a form of depression which occurs after childbirth.

Postpartum depression "is a condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many mothers can have after having a baby" (4woman.gov 1). Postpartum depression is a major form of depression which has its onset after delivery. This disorder involves a diagnosis by DSM IV of a major depressive episode and its development is within the first three months after delivery. It can have an acute onset of as little as a few hours or it can develop a few months later, lasting up to a year (4woman.gov 1).This type of depression affects approximately ten to fifteen percent of women . Postpartum depression shows all the typical symptoms of depression but, what distinguishes it is that it occurs after childbirth. PPD can occur in any woman regardless of race, socioeconomic status and/or age Furthermore, PPD can be observed after a first pregnancy or after any subsequent pregnancy. Cases of PPD may also occur after a miscarriage (4woman.gov1). Although PPD is most often diagnosed in women with a history of depression, it is not exclusive to women with such history.

There are three degrees of postpartum depression that woman can have: the 'baby blues', postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. Although, the main focus of this paper is on postpartum depression, it is important to differentiate between the three. The 'baby blues' is a common occurrence and is usually experienced days after childbirth. This state is characterized by sudden mood swings, unexplained crying spells, irritability, impatience, anxiety, sadness, restlessness, and loneliness. 'Baby blues' generally lasts one to two weeks and rarely requires medication (4woman.gov 1). Seventy to eighty percent of women suffer from the 'baby blues'. Postpartum depression (PPD) is characterized by presenting stronger symptoms than those experienced with the 'baby blues'. This type of depression requires treatment in the majority of cases, since it often interferes with the woman's daily activities (Medical Library ). The third form, postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a serious mental illness that often occurs within the first three months after childbirth in about 0.2 percent of women after delivery (Clay and Seehusen 158). It requires immediate medical attention due to the threat that the mother may pose to herself and her child. The symptoms include losing touch with reality, auditory and visual hallucinations, delusions, insomnia, agitation, and anger (NMHA ). The woman might be prescribed mood stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants.

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