Post natal depression
Post natal depression can be severe. Scientists may soon
be able to predict which women are likely to suffer from depression
after giving birth.
They have found that women who suffer from severe post natal
depression have higher levels of chemicals called thyroperoxidase
antibodies in their bloodstream.
The discovery suggests that post natal depression may not
- as has been widely assumed - be caused entirely by the psychological
and emotional turmoil associated with pregnancy and birth.
The discovery, from a study of 300 pregnant women by Dutch
scientists, could enable doctors to identify individuals most
at risk.
They could then be given extra help and support.
Researcher Professor Victor Pop, from Tilburg University,
said: "This is important. It could improve detection
and diagnosis of depression and enable these women to get
better help."
Up to eight out of 10 new mothers are thought to suffer from
postnatal depression.
Symptoms
Typically, they become weepy, irritable or slightly depressed
about three or four days after the delivery.
The problem usually lasts just a few days, but about 10%
of women suffer some form of clinical depression.
About four women per 1,000 who give birth have to be treated
in hospital.
Up to 50 women a year commit suicide before their child's
first birthday as a result of postnatal depression or other
psychiatric disorders.
Sufferers of postnatal depression include the late Princess
of Wales, Mick Jagger's ex-wife Jerry Hall, model Rachel Hunter,
and TV presenter Judy Finnigan.
Heather Welford, an expert in post natal depression at the
National Childbirth Trust, told BBC News Online that post
natal depression was probably caused by a combination of social
and biochemical factors.
However, she said: "A simple, non-invasive test, either
biochemical or psychological, that could identify women who
are more likely to develop post natal depression would be
very useful."
Social support, counselling and various types of therapy
have been shown to be as effective at treating post natal
depression as anti-depressants.
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