POST-NATAL DEPRESSION & MEHER CLINIC

Post-natal depression affects more than 10 % of mothers. It frequently goes unrecognised because women often regard this degree of depression and exhaustion as the normal consequence of looking after a new baby. Symptoms include: depression, crying, anxiety, confusion, inappropriate obsessive thoughts, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, guilt, fears of harming or someone else harming the baby, becoming angry with family, reduced self-esteem and loss of interest in sex. It does not seem to be influenced by obstetric factors such as length of labour, caesarean section or even separation of the mother from the baby. PND can overlap with symptoms of 'The Baby Blues'.

Baby blues arise soon after birth and has mild symptoms which usually disappear quickly.

Post-natal depression can arise almost straight away or months after the birth. It usually starts after the second or third week. It can last for months or even years. Onset can be sudden and many sufferers will still be depressed more than a year later.

Puerperal psychosis affects very few mothers. These cases need immediate help. The onset is rapid. It occurs in the first two weeks, often on days 5-7 after birth. The symptoms are: confusion, indecision, periods of elation, hallucinations, and disconnection from reality. The condition is considered a type of manic depressive illness precipitated by childbirth. Prompt psychiatric treatment is recommended.

There are several theories on the causes of Post-natal depression. Medical research indicates that the causes are hormonal, and the latest research has found that 'GABA' a calming/ feel good brain transmitter doesn't work properly after birthing in many women. This is possibly a major cause of depression. Researchers have found that this is also the case with PMS. Another theory is that trauma of birth depletes the stress hormone 'CRH'(corticotrophin-releasing hormone) which may result in depression. Recent studies have shown a high incidence of Thyroid dysfunction in women after giving birth and this could also be associated with mood changes.

At Meher Clinic we believe that after the loss of the placenta's hormonal production after delivery, some women are depleted in oestrogen and progesterone, because the ovaries have not returned to normal function after their holiday from production. We think that GABA, CRH and Thyroid dysfunction are secondary to the female hormones being depleted. Our good results in treating this condition back up this theory.

Modern medical treatment with doses of progesterone or oestrogen are somewhat helpful but overall disappointing, probably because they do not address the cause of the problem. At Meher Clinic our approach is to stimulate the ovaries back to normal hormonal production again by using gentle Homoeopathic medicines and stopping depression.

If a woman has PND which is from solely hormonal causes and clinical depression did not exist before the pregnancy, then the results of our treatment are usually quick and very effective . Long standing Clinical depression and Puerperal psychosis will probably require counselling and anti-depressant medications.