Depression is a potentially debilitating mental condition that typically impacts one in four women at some point over the course of their lives. In the past, it was thought that being pregnant would serve as a repellent of sorts to depressive feelings, however, research now indicates that this assumption is inaccurate.
According to recent studies, nearly 20 percent of women undergo some symptoms of depression during the course of their pregnancy. Further, approximately 10 percent of women undergo serious, major depression. Depression that occurs over the course of a pregnancy is known as antepartum depression. As with any other mental disorder, the key to dealing with depression is noticing the red flags and then taking the necessary steps to seek out treatment.
Over the course of a pregnancy, alterations as they relate to hormones can in turn impact brain chemistry. This may bring about feelings of despair or depression.
Signs of antepartum depression include, but aren’t limited to: non-stop sadness, strange sleeping habits, inability to concentrate, loss of interest, anxiety, feelings of guilt and changes in eating habits.
Antepartum depression that goes untreated can have serious risks as they relate to the baby. This depression can cause mothers to abandon healthy practices which in turn can hurt the baby and/or cause a premature delivery.
Treatment options are available for women dealing with depression while pregnant, just as they would be for depression in any other setting. Things like light therapy, support groups, medication and private psychotherapy are tried and true ways to put an end to antepartum depression. Drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil have also been deemed as medicines that are safe to use over the course of a pregnancy.
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A new randomized,
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of light therapy for antepartum depression has been published:
http://medicine.journalfeeds.com/psychiatry/j-clin-psychiatry/a-randomized-double-blind-placebo-controlled-study-of-light-therapy-for-antepartum-depression/20110504/
This is great data as a treatment of depression during pregnancy that is efficacious, reliable, safe and with minor side effects is an urgent unmet clinical need. And regarding the results: a difference of 4 points in the HDRS at week 5 is impressive for an antidepressent trial. The majority of placebo-controlled drug studies show a difference of about 2 points with far larger sample size.
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