Integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into cognitive behavioural therapy to treat postpartum depression in Chinese culture contexts.

• Main Author: Han, Shuyu.
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology::Affection and emotion
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53530
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In nowadays, postpartum depression (PPD) has become one of the most typical complications after childbirth. It has been found that approximately 50-80% of women could be affected by maternal sadness and around one quarter of them develop postnatal depression. Thus, postpartum depression has become a serious worldwide public health issue. The seriousness of postpartum depression is that it will not only affect maternal health but also could cause certain consequences to the child. It could affect child’s emotional and cognitive development in later life. Up to date, the most effective treatment is the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy. Under pharmacotherapy, typically antidepressants are used, but the safety of antidepressants has been concerned even though there are evidences supported their safeness. This kind of concern is much stronger in Chinese. Furthermore, women are expected to provide breastfeed after delivery. Taking drugs such as antidepressants will be strongly believed it’s harmful to child. As in Chinese cultures, it is believed that any kind of drug has certain degree of side effects. In the end, all different kinds of factors have lead to the fact that most women suffering from postpartum disorders or depression left unwell treated. Solutions for this situation are urgently called. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its safeness, and popularity in Chinese culture contexts and effectiveness in treating postnatal depressive symptoms make it as one of the most suitable solution to treat postnatal depression by combining with other psychotherapies. This literature review provides another perspective to explain the possible causes of postpartum depression and suggests certain treatments by integrating TCM into current treatments.