Postpartum onset of panic disorder: A metaphor analysis
1University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4026, United States of America.
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
|June 28, 2021
Summary
Postpartum panic disorder affects new mothers, who may struggle to articulate symptoms. This study identified eight common metaphors, like "caged animal," that help women describe their experiences to clinicians.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Women's Health
- Linguistics
Background:
- Postpartum panic disorder affects 0.5%–2.9% of new mothers.
- Women may lack medical terms to describe panic symptoms.
- Metaphors can bridge communication gaps between patients and clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze metaphors used by women describing postpartum panic disorder.
- To understand patient-centered language in perinatal mental health.
Main Methods:
- Secondary qualitative data analysis.
- Metaphor Identification Procedure applied to primary dataset.
Main Results:
- Eight distinct metaphors were identified:
- Examples include: caged animal, Coke in my veins, bone-tired, imposter, escape artist, magnifying glass, detective, and hermit.
Conclusions:
- Metaphors offer valuable insights into the subjective experience of postpartum panic disorder.
- Identifying these metaphors can improve clinical understanding and patient communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Panic Disorder
260
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
260
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
184
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
184
01:18Anxiety: Overview
508
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
508
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
299
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
299
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
320
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
320
01:30Bipolar Disorder
209
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
209