Becoming a mother can put women under a lot of psychological pressure. Post-natal (or post-partum) depression (PND or PPD) is a well-known and very common experience. Potentially much longer lasting and more insidious, however, is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) arising from events before, during, after or throughout the whole of the birth experience.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the psychological term for a set of reactions anyone may experience when something traumatic, scary or bad happens.
It is a normal reaction to an event that involves the threat of death or injury to self or others. Only recently has it been recognized that PTSD may be suffered as a result of a traumatic birth experience.
First identified in soldiers during the Vietnam War, and previously known as Shell Shock during World War I, it is common for rape or road accident victims. Frequently we hear of events likely to result in people possibly suffering PTSD, eg violent crime, shipwrecks, fires, as well as natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis . . . . having a baby, also, can be such an event.
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From 1 July 2011, this website will be for information only. Awareness of post partum PTSD and support for mothers and families affected by it have grown considerably since TABS began in 1998. Many health professionals, counsellors and group are now senstive to the condition of post partum PTSD and offer what the trustees consider to be worthwhile support. The names of some of these people appear on the pages listing contacts for TABS support, and also on the Fee Charging Counsellors and Support Groups pages on this site. The trustees have therefore decided to step back from taking enquiries and contacts from the website. On 21 April 2015, the Trust formally requested that it be removed from the Register of Charitable Trusts managed by Charities Services NZ, with the effect that the Trust is no longer 'Registered' for tax exemption etc purposes under New Zealand law. The Trust will continue to maintain this website and make relevant information available. |
| This Website published 31 March 2003 Last updated on 3 May 2016 |
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DISCLAIMER:
The materials provided at this website are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of PTSD or as a substitute for consulting a caregiver competent to diagnose and recommend treatment for PTSD.
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