Healthy mothers, healthy babies: a practicum utilizing self regulation therapy to address symptoms of pre-natal and postpartum depression and anxiety

Abstract

No abstract supplied by the author. Abstract created by the cataloguer from information contained in the Introduction. Research does bear out and delineate the myriad ways that early relationships, especially those with our primary caregivers, can shape and potentially harm us. The potential for damage to development, or attachment trauma, is especially relevant in the case of pre-natal or post-partum depression (PPD) or anxiety (PPA). Even if all other health determinants are ideal, presence of PPD and PPA can create a toxic and potentially traumatic initial environment for infants. PPD or PPA causes attachment trauma, which later manifests as anxiety and depression, which later still surfaces as PPD and PPA, which interferes with attachment…and the toxic gift keeps giving - generationally. Clinical psychologist David Wallin (2007) states that in order to resolve issues from earliest childhood (those which occur prenatally up to 18 months) something other than verbal or cognitive therapy is required. Therefore, to effectively resolve inaccessible or early childhood issues, the therapy must focus on where the memory is stored – the body and nervous system.