Post Partum depression be allowed as a legal defense

Outline

Analysis

What is Post-partum Disorder ?

The Andrea Yates Case

Post-partum Disorder

Risk factors

Significant and Dangerous Symptoms

Post-partum depression with psychosis:Manic Symptoms

Post-partum Psychosis:

Depressive Symptoms

Post-partum Psychosis: Rooted in Post-partum Depression?

Post-partum Depression

depression

depression

Symptoms of Post-partum Depression

Causes of Post-partum Depression

Treatment for Post-partum Disorder

Post-partum Psychosis as a NCR Plea

Legal Issues: “Mad” versus “Bad” Mothers

The Yates Case and the Insanity Defense

Retrial of Yates Case

Work Cited

Analysis

Infanticide- the horror of the crime is matched only by the horror of one of it's common causes- the waking nightmare called postpartum psychosis. Ranging from mild fits of fatigue and crying to genuine depression, the ailment usually passes in two to ten days. It is a trying ordeal but scarcely a cause of murder. Postpartum psychosis is a far more extreme disorder, and very rare, occurring in only one to three of every 1,000 mothers. Of those affected, only six in 1,000 commit suicide or kill their babies. (ABC30 2010 )The cause is uncertain. Some researchers believe a catastrophic distortion of the hormones along with fatigue which clouds judgement may be responsible. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard reference, and afflicted woman suffers delusions that often include a belief that her baby "is possessed by the devil, has special powers or is destined for a terrible fate." The disorder has been blamed for some two dozen babies' deaths in the United States over the last twenty years. Postpartum psychosis is not the only disorder that can lead to infanticide. Women who already suffered from bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder or schizophrenia before delivering their babies have also committed the crime. In 1939, the Infanticide Act was introduced into British Parliament recognizing post-natal mood disorders. It states that no woman can be found guilty of murdering her own child within twelve months of birth. Until the 1960's, all forms of post-natal mood disorder were classified as a single condition. Although the medical profession has not agreed upon definitions, diagnosis and treatment, it is clear from research available today that this is not an imagined condition. There are three types of post-natal mood disorders: Baby or maternity blues, post-natal depression, and puerperal or post-natal psychosis. Baby or maternity blues arises soon after birth and disappears quickly. Post-natal depression affects 10-15% of mothers and usually arises after the third week but sometimes months after and can last for months or even years. Puerperal psychosis affects .01-.02% of mothers. These cases require immediate inpatient treatment. Post-natal depression is a very real illness, which can be helped if recognized early and treated. The recent infanticides still seem puzzling. There are middle - class girls whose babies would have been kept from starvation by the girls parents or by thousands of adoptive couples(George 2010 ) In hunter - gatherer societies, births are virtually always assisted because human anatomy makes birth (especially the first one) long and difficult. Older women act as midwives and help decide whether the infant should live. Wenda Trevothan, an anthropologist and trained midwife, has ...