Pregnancy-related depression linked to abuse, eating disorders

If a new study is to be believed then the history of pregnancy-related depression has been traced to eating disorders and physical or sexual abuse.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified that one in 10 women experience depression during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth.
After surveying 158 pregnant and postpartum women undergoing treatment for depression, researchers found that one-third of the patients reported a history of eating disorders.
Moreover, many of them had a history of physical or sexual abuse, indicating that these psychiatric factors may increase a woman’s likelihood of developing depression during or after pregnancy.
Samantha Meltzer-Brody, lead author of the study and director of UNC’s Perinatal Psychiatry Program said, “The prevalence of abuse and eating disorder histories may be much higher than people appreciate.” 
“Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a very vulnerable time for women,” she added.
Warning about the same, Meltzer-Brody said that children of depressed mothers are more likely to develop mental health problems, and children of mothers with an active eating disorder may also be more likely to develop an eating disorder themselves.
The study published in the Journal of Women’s Health also suggested that pregnancy is just the ideal time for doctors to intervene and help women get mental health treatment if they need it.

 

Image courtesy: Blosgpot.com

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