Psychology of Menopause

Psychology of Puerperium

• Puerperium is the period of adjustment after childbirth, when the mother's reproductive system returns to its normal pre-pregnant state. This period generally lasts six to eight weeks.
• Becoming a mother involves significant changes in the mother's health, social life, and relationships with the baby, father, and other family members.
• Emotional changes during the postpartum period follow a restorative/adaptive process, typically passing through three phases (taking-in, taking-hold, and letting-go).

Taking-In Phase

• Characterized by nurturing and protective care, lasting 2-3 days.
• Mothers focus on their own needs for food, fluids, and sleep.
• Postpartum women are passive, depending on others for physical care.

Taking-Hold Phase

• Lasting about 10 days, mothers become more independent.
• They take an active interest in their own physical care and the care of the infant.
• Concerns regarding breastfeeding techniques and infant feeding can arise.

Letting-Go Phase

• The mother accepts her new role and lets go of former roles (e.g., childless woman).
• Some mothers may not fully align with the expected image of their perfect baby.

Binding in Postnatal Period

• Binding is a gradual, accumulative, and intermittent process that occurs over 12-15 months, dependent on maternal identity
• Stages of binding include:
  • Identification: The reality of the child is accepted (sex, size, condition).
  • Claiming: Comparing the child with other family members or perceived traits.
  • Polarization: Baby is seen as a separate, distinct being.

Emotional Needs During Postpartum

• Recognition of the effort during labor is important (Approval of behaviour)
• Support and encouragement for infant care
• Seeking help from family or friends is desired and helpful.
• Attention from family members, especially the husband, is crucial to balance the attention now focused on the newborn.
• Help is needed for resolving dependency vs. independence conflict.
• Comfort, nourishment, and hygiene are necessary.

Psychological & Physical Stressors During Postpartum

• Stress, emotional or physical, may arise during pregnancy, labor, and early postpartum period due to difficulty coping with the new demands of the baby.
• Adjusting to a new baby, juggling responsibilities, physical health changes, and feelings of loneliness are common stressors.
• The baby's health (infant digestive problems, acute health problems, intensive care experiences) creates additional stress.
• Breastfeeding-related issues (pressure, feeling of inadequacy) are also considered stressors.
• Changing relationships (with partner, family) can contribute to stress and difficulty.

Factors Contributing to Emotional Well-being During Postpartum

• General health status, prenatal/postnatal complications can affect postpartum emotional well-being
• Baby's health status and gender response can cause issues
• Psychological factors such as anxiety level, past experiences, emotional stability, coping mechanisms, self-system
• Motivation for motherhood, degree of comfort, and degree of control
• Social factors such as socioeconomic status, availability & type of social support
• Postpartum sociocultural problems.

Postpartum Psychological Problems

• Postpartum blues occur due to discrepancies between the expectations and actual capabilities of the new mother
• Characterized by cyclic depression, starting within a few postpartum days
• Postpartum depression: Extreme sadness, loss of interest, episodes of irritability, guilt, exhaustion, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.

Predisposing Factors of Postpartum Psychosocial Problems

• Fatigue from labor/delivery
• Ambivalence to self-care
• Unplanned/unwanted pregnancies
• Sleep deprivation,
• Lack of support from family/friends,
• Marital adjustment issues,
• Changes in home/work,
• Financial stress
• Unrealistic expectations,
• Societal/cultural pressure to "bounce back"

Management of Postpartum Psychological Problems

• Encouraging adequate rest, preferred activities
• Attention from family/husband, particularly early postpartum
• Connecting with other postpartum mothers
• Comfort, nourishment, and hygiene
• Reassurance symptoms aren't uncommon
• Seeking help if interfering with daily functioning

Family Roles in Prevention of Postpartum Psychological Problems

• Providing love after birth
• Encouraging nutritious eating
• Allowing adequate rest
• Helping with baby care and maintaining personal hygiene
• Husbands have a role in maternal health, education, reassurance, and baby care.

Psychology of Menopause

• Menopause: Permanent cessation of spontaneous menstruation.

Mechanism of Menopause

• Estrogen decline during menopause disrupts neuroprotective functions in the brain. (neurotransmission, noradrenaline, serotonin receptor).
• Related to physiological, psychological and behavioral symptoms

Symptoms of Menopause

• Psychological/emotional:

• Irritability, sadness, anxiety, fatigue, tension, depressed feelings, emotional lability, feeling of wanting to be alone, dissatisfaction

• Behavioral/cognitive:

  • Lack of motivation, reduced stamina, aggressiveness, seeing only the negative, memory problems, impatience.

Losses During Menopause

• Loss of maternal role: Families moving; children moving away lead to a loss of contact with family/friends.
• Loss of health: Aging changes, physical deterioration, and increased risk of acute/chronic illnesses
• Loss of a spouse (widowhood): Grief and depression.
• Loss of meaning/purpose: Mortality, death of friends
• Loss of friendship and social circle: Decreasing interaction as friends die or move

Developmental Tasks of Menopause

• Reexamination of values and aspirations, focusing on personal values rather than societal expectations.
• Maintain family supports and boundaries
• Redefinition of self (personal values take priority)
• Planning for future and aging.

Psychological and Social Aspects of Menopause

• Individual psychological factors affect experience (e.g. personal history of mood disorders)
• Woman's attitude towards menopause and aging: negative perceptions may worsen symptoms.
• Coping mechanisms
• Neuroticism: heightened sensitivity to bodily sensations
• Temperament influences behaviour.

Spirituality Oriented Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy With Menopause

• CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach to address anxiety, sleep issues, and mood in menopausal women.
• Spirituality involves thoughts, feelings, behaviors relating to the sacred.

This quiz explores various psychological factors that influence women's experiences during menopause. Understand the personality traits, emotional behaviors, and therapy options that are relevant for navigating this life stage. Enhance your knowledge about how emotional reactivity plays a significant role in this transition.