Handout: the mills depression and anxiety checklist[c]. (Postpartum Care).This checklist is not intended to be used to diagnose diagnose /di·ag·nose/ (di´ag-nos) to identify or recognize a disease.di·ag·nose v. 1. To distinguish or identify a disease by diagnosis. 2. depression during pregnancy pregnancy, period of time between fertilization of the ovum (conception) and birth, during which mammals carry their developing young in the uterus (see embryo). The duration of pregnancy in humans is about 280 days, equal to 9 calendar months. or the months following birth. Instead, it is hoped that it will help you express the way you have been feeling over the past two weeks. Some of the symptoms and feelings will be hard to admit, but you are urged to be honest, because this will result in a more accurate assessment of your mood. Remember that all new mothers probably will experience the symptoms below some of the time. Such feelings are part of the adjustment to motherhood. But when mothers feel bad often or most of the time, it is important that you get help from a health professional urgently. * Try not to feel guilty--you are not to blame. * At least one in ten new mothers do have clinical depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the first year after the birth of a baby. To complete the Checklist, please fill in the appropriate column with one of the numbers that comes closest to the way you have been feeling and thinking during the past two weeks. 0 = not at all 1 = from time to time 2 = quite often 3 = most of the time When you have completed the checklist go to the bottom of this page to find instructions on how to interpret To run a program one line at a time. Each line of source language is translated into machine language and then executed. your results. Please note the highlighted symptoms and feelings and the comment about them at the end. It is recommended that you print out the check sheet below but do not look at the scoring levels until you fill out the checklist. Mills Depression & Anxiety Symptom/Feeling Checklist[c] Symptoms & Feelings 0 = not at all 1 = from time to time Appetite change Being forgetful Being indecisive Confused thinking Crying spells Fears or fantasies of harming yourself or others Fears or fantasies of harming baby Feeling afraid Feeling angry Feeling anxious Feeling depressed Feeling fatigued Feeling frustrated Feeling guilty Feeling hopeless Feeling irritable Feeling like a bad mother Feeling lonely Feeling no love for the baby Feeling numb Feeling out of control Feeling panicky Feeling that your baby would be better off without you Feeling trapped Feeling unsupported--that no one cares about you Having scary thoughts Insomnia/changes in your sleep patterns Loss of concentration Loss of interest in your appearance Loss of libido--no interest in sex Loss of motivation Loss of self-esteem Mood swings Obsessive thinking--weird thoughts keep going around in your head Panic attacks Pre-occupation with death-- often thinking about death and dying Suicidal thinking--thinking of killing yourself Unusual conflict and fights with people close to you Unusual physical symptoms-- headaches, irregular heartbeat, nausea, "knot in your stomach," etc. Unusual weight gain or loss Other Symptoms & Feelings 2 = quite often 3 = most of the time Appetite change Being forgetful Being indecisive Confused thinking Crying spells Fears or fantasies of harming yourself or others Fears or fantasies of harming baby Feeling afraid Feeling angry Feeling anxious Feeling depressed Feeling fatigued Feeling frustrated Feeling guilty Feeling hopeless Feeling irritable Feeling like a bad mother Feeling lonely Feeling no love for the baby Feeling numb Feeling out of control Feeling panicky Feeling that your baby would be better off without you Feeling trapped Feeling unsupported--that no one cares about you Having scary thoughts Insomnia/changes in your sleep patterns Loss of concentration Loss of interest in your appearance Loss of libido--no interest in sex Loss of motivation Loss of self-esteem Mood swings Obsessive thinking--weird thoughts keep going around in your head Panic attacks Pre-occupation with death-- often thinking about death and dying Suicidal thinking--thinking of killing yourself Unusual conflict and fights with people close to you Unusual physical symptoms-- headaches, irregular heartbeat, nausea, "knot in your stomach," etc. Unusual weight gain or loss Other Score (write total score here) [ ] Contact a health professional immediately if you have any of these symptoms. Guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. for Interpreting in·ter·pret v. in·ter·pret·ed, in·ter·pret·ing, in·ter·prets v.tr. 1. To explain the meaning of: interpreted the ambassador's remarks. See Synonyms at explain. Your Total Score 40 or less = mild adjustment difficulties 41-69 = moderate to severe depression and anxiety (If you score above 50, we recommend that you contact a health professional) 70+ = severe depression and anxiety (Urgent: if your score is above 70 consult your health professional, and inform your family immediately). Please note: The checklist is not intended to indicate and articulate articulate /ar·tic·u·late/ (ahr-tik´u-lat) 1. to pronounce clearly and distinctly. 2. to make speech sounds by manipulation of the vocal organs. 3. to express in coherent verbal form. 4. the most common symptoms and feelings of depression and anxiety in pregnancy and during the first year after a baby. And it is not an established diagnostic instrument. This survey is not meant to replace diagnosis or treatment with a qualified healthcare provider [c] 1999 Liz Mills, Founder-President pndsa (Postnatal Depression Postnatal depression is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. It is widely considered to be treatable. Studies report prevalence rates from 5% to 25%, but methodological differences among the studies make the actual Support Association of South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. ) and Executive Board Member of psi PSI - Portable Scheme Interpreter (Postpartum Support International Postpartum Support International'' (PSI) was founded in 1987 by Jane Honikman and currently headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. The purpose of the organization is to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional changes that women experience ); e-mail: liz@pndsa.co.za; http://www.pndsa.co.za |
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