Postpartum depression is more common in women with psychiatric illness in the family, study shows

A study published this month showed that women with a family history of psychiatric illness are nearly twice as likely to develop postpartum depression as other mothers. The discovery may facilitate the diagnosis and help the understanding of psychiatric disorders.

The work is the result of a meta-analysis, a type of study that brings together data from different scientific studies to make a more robust investigation, and was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. 26 publications were reviewed with information from 100,877 women from 18 countries.

For Leandro Valiengo, physician at the psychiatry institute at the USP School of Medicine (University of São Paulo), the analysis helps to confirm that mental disorders in the family can be a risk factor for the development of other psychiatric disorders.

These diseases are caused by genetic and environmental factors, but, according to the specialist, it is already known that people with conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a greater chance of having children with the same conditions.

Also according to the doctor, the study can also help in early diagnosis and prevention. According to the authors, this finding may facilitate screening, as both symptoms of the disease and family history can be assessed using a questionnaire answered by the woman herself.

Postpartum depression has the same symptoms as regular depression. Women with this condition feel hopelessness, deep sadness, difficulty taking care of the baby, guilt about motherhood, irritability and loss of energy.

According to Manuela Moura, Psychologist at UFBA (Federal University of Bahia) and specialist in couples and family therapy, “mothers with postpartum depression can be very effective in caring for the baby’s health, but they do it in a dissociated way. of affection”. According to her, this can make the diagnosis difficult.

Moura warns that depression should not be confused with the condition known as “baby blues”. This condition can affect up to 80% of women and is characterized by mood swings and crying spells. Symptoms last up to two weeks after delivery.

Depression, which affects about 15 out of every 100 pregnant or postpartum women, can start up to 4 weeks after pregnancy and usually lasts longer. In addition, in this case, the sadness is continuous and the mother may have difficulty connecting with the child.

Women should seek help if they notice any symptoms, but should be extra vigilant when they last for more than two weeks, have a hard time carrying out activities related to routine child care, or feel any urge to harm themselves or the baby.

The causes of the disorder are not well known. After childbirth there is a decrease in sex hormones, which can be a trigger. The drop in thyroid hormones can also influence.

The scientific article does not investigate the causes of postpartum depression, but the authors suggest that psychiatric disorders may be related to a decrease in the support network, which is a risk factor. According to them, “growing up in an environment where parents are suffering from mental disorders, potentially influences the social support given by them during motherhood”.

The psychologist says that the lack of close caregivers during childhood and throughout life, in addition to not having received affection properly, can be determining factors. Unwanted pregnancies in the presence of sexual violence and troubled marital relationships can also influence the development of postpartum depression.

Treatment is with psychotherapy and antidepressants. Women with severe conditions may also benefit from additional therapies, such as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).

In 2019, the FDA (American Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of brexanolone, a specific medication for postpartum depression that simulates the effects of female hormones and helps to reduce symptoms. It is not yet available in Brazil.