Behavioral Genetics and Postpartum Depression
Here we are, further speculating on my latest question in my last blog: "...where do genetics (our DNA) come into play with our behavior and personalities?" This, lately, has been on the forefront of my mind because I have a son who has been diagnosed with ADHD and some early on-set ODD. He is currently undergoing many different tests to determine which learning tools work best for him.
The doctor he is seeing is considered a Neuropsychologist. Upon first meeting with the doctor, she asked extensive family background questions. This led me to believe that she is getting a sense of his, and our family's, behavioral genetics. Behavioral genetics deals with inheritance of behavioral and psychological traits. My family does have a history of depression and ADHD, so it's no surprise to me if this influenced my son's behavioral development.
So, we are seeing more and more now that our genetics can play a big role in how we develop mentally, but we also see a big influence from the environment we are raised in. The next topic that touches home for me is Postpartum Depression. I had an especially tough time several months after my son was born, trying to adjust to parenthood and realizing that life was not all about just me anymore.
One of the pieces of advice I received from others before birthing was, "When your child sleeps, you should sleep, too." I did as those suggested, but found it extremely difficult when my son got a bit older (between the age of 1 and 2), and he didn't want to take a nap. Well, mommy wanted to take a nap because she was exhausted! So, when he didn't sleep, I would get angry and frustrated with him--feeling like this was an inconvenience to me somehow. If I didn't vent my frustration on him, I would take it out on other members of my family. Little did I know what this venting of frustration would do to him later on. He watched my every move, and picked up on all of my habits. Psychologists aren't joking when they say, "Children are like sponges--they absorb it all!"
For two years I went un-diagnosed an untreated. I did not think I was depressed at the time, but I see that now. I, myself, now see a counselor to keep on top of my depression and learn new tools to deal with stress. While all the meanwhile, I try to help "reprogram" my child's initial reactions to stress. Behavioral Psychologists have found that, like the volume buttons on a TV controller, our learned behaviors can be turned up or turned down. Just because we are "predisposed" to a certain genetic behavioral issue, doesn't mean it can control you. With the proper tools to help one learn to cope with feelings and learning processes, it can be done. I very much look forward to my son improving greatly in school and being successful later in life, thanks to modern psychology. And, I look forward to having better relationships with those in my life.
I also suffered from post partum depression after my first was born. We discovered it about 6 months after his birth though when I nearly committed suicide. Anyways, its a hard thing to deal with and I hope you don't beat yourself up over it. Parenting is hard and kids can be very difficult at times.
ReplyDeleteMy two year old watches almost everything his father and I do! Everything! His attitude is out of control and it drives me up the wall and some days I can step back and remember okay, he learned this from me what's the best way to divert it. But man it can be frustrating!
I think its absolutely awesome too that they can study your child to figure out the best way he learns. So awesome and great to know they have ways of making sure your child is successful no matter what obstacles he faces.
Great topic Tanya and thanks for sharing your personal experiences. It takes a lot of courage to open up and discuss these issues. It really helped me to understand how behavorial genetics applies to understanding & treating children with behavioral issues.
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