Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – In many countries, one in five new mothers suffer Mood disorder Or anxiety. Unfortunately, these conditions often go undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of awareness and stigma.
In conjunction with the International Day ofMental health For mothers, it’s time to recognize the importance of maternal mental health.
How do you know if you or a family member might need help? What types of treatments are available? What can mothers, whether they are pregnant or postpartum, do, and how can the community around them support them?
CNN health expert Dr. Leana Wen answers these questions.
Wen works as an emergency physician and assistant professor at George Washington University in the United States.
CNN: Why is addressing maternal mental health so important?
Dr. Lena Wen: Mental health is an essential part of overall health. Mental health in itself affects health, and it has a major impact on the physical health of the woman and her child.
Pregnant women with untreated mental health conditions have a higher rate of prenatal loss and are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, psychosis and other mental health conditions after giving birth.
Untreated mental health conditions are also linked to premature birth, low birth weight, sleep and feeding problems for the baby, as well as developmental and cognitive problems.
Unfortunately, in the United States, mental health disorders are the leading cause of death in many deaths that occur during and after pregnancy.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22.7% of pregnancy-related deaths were related to a mental health condition—even more than bleeding (13.7%) or infection (9.2%).
It is a crisis, and we still have a lot to do to deal with it
CNN: How common are maternal mental health illnesses?
Wayne: 10% of pregnant women and 13% of postpartum women have a mental health condition, the most common of which is depression, according to the World Health Organization.
In developed countries, including the United States, the numbers rise to more than 15% during pregnancy and 19.8% after birth.
The numbers about lack of treatment are also worrying. Some studies show that less than 15% of women with these conditions receive any treatment.
Imagine if we were talking about any other serious medical condition such as diabetes or heart patients. These numbers would not be acceptable to us, and we should not do so in relation to the treatment of mental health conditions.
CNN: Many postpartum women suffer from “baby blues”. How can you distinguish this condition from postpartum depression?
Wayne: “Baby blues” are symptoms that most women experience after giving birth. These include experiencing mood swings, feeling tired, angry, and trouble sleeping.
In general, baby blues occurs shortly after birth and lasts for several days. The person suffers from some symptoms of low mood, but generally feels good.
Baby blues is completely different from postpartum depression. The symptoms of postpartum depression may be similar to the symptoms of the baby blues at first, but they are more severe and last longer – for at least two weeks or even months.
Typical symptoms include persistent feelings of depression, tearfulness, extreme fatigue, extreme irritability, and anger.
The woman may isolate herself from family and friends, with less interest in the activities she used to enjoy, and even have difficulty bonding with the child or take care of her. She may feel hopeless, worthless, and ashamed that she is not a good mother.
The condition can develop into a mother with severe anxiety, panic attacks, and thoughts of harming herself, her children, or others around her.
CNN: Are there other mental health conditions after birth?
Wayne: Yes. Postpartum depression is the most common mental health condition, but there are others.
Another condition that can occur alone or with postpartum depression is postpartum anxiety.
It’s normal to feel anxious after having a baby, but it becomes a problem when anxious feelings get out of hand and take over your thoughts.
Individuals with this condition experience anxiety, including irrational fear of events that are unlikely to happen.
Other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, can appear in the postpartum period.
There is another condition, which is postpartum psychosis, which is the most serious form of psychological conditions after childbirth, and it is rare, as it occurs in about 1 to 2 per thousand women in the postpartum period.
The woman may become irrational and move between depression and luxury, and she may suffer from hallucinations and delusions. This is a mental emergency that requires immediate care to prevent the woman from harming herself, her child or others.
CNN: What types of treatments are available?
Wayne: There are a variety of effective treatments available to treat postpartum depression and other mental health disorders.
There are two types of treatment: oral treatment and medications.
Psychotherapy involves talking about concerns with a mental health professional. There are different types of psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Overall, it helps patients better recognize and deal with their emotions.
Health care providers may also prescribe antidepressant medications.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved two medications to specifically treat postpartum depression.
These medications are used for a shorter period of time than antidepressants and can be a good choice for some women, although insurance coverage and cost can be a barrier.
Just like any other medical condition, some women may respond better to one type of treatment than others. Some may need a combination of treatments. The length of treatment also depends on individual circumstances.
CNN: What can pregnant and postpartum women do? How can those around her improve her mental health?
Wayne: Good health during and after pregnancy begins long before labor and birth.
It is important for women to seek help for mental health conditions.
Women with pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder have a much higher rate of mental health problems in the postpartum period, and it is important to diagnose and treat these conditions before they heavy
There should be no stigma associated with being diagnosed with a mental health condition.
People around the person can help watch for signs of postpartum depression. They can provide support, such as encouraging treatment and providing childcare and other support a mother may need.
Everyone should remember that quick treatment is effective and essential for the well-being of the woman and her family.
2024-05-04 12:44:45
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