Link Between Pregnancy-Related Depression And Eating Disorders, Abuse Histories

Link Between Pregnancy-Related Depression And Eating Disorders, Abuse Histories

Having a history of eating disorders or abuse may grow a woman's risk for developing perversion during and after pregnancy, according to unaccustomed research from UNC. The finding could control how doctors screen patients during prenatal visits.

One in 10 women actual presentation depression during pregnancy or shortly later than giving birth. Although the problem has current increased attention in recent years, niggard is known about the causes or seasonably-warning signs of pregnancy-related dent. In a study published in the June 2011 way out of Journal of Women's Health, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine give new clues to help doctors consider the same at-risk patients and refer them to management early on.

The researchers surveyed 158 pregnant and postpartum women undergoing management for depression at UNC's Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic. One-third of the patients reported a story of eating disorders; in addition, crowd had a history of physical or sexual carp at. The findings suggest these psychiatric factors may augment a woman's likelihood of developing dejectedness during pregnancy or postpartum.

Mental soundness screening tools that include questions near eating disorders, abuse and other factors should subsist incorporated into routine prenatal care, said Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, the be in advance of author of the study and instructor of UNC's Perinatal Psychiatry Program. "Screening ~ means of obstetrical providers is really important for the cause that they can refer patients for appropriate handling," she said. "And that can stop long-lasting problems for mom and infant.."

Undiagnosed and treated postpartum depression "causes elephantine distress to the family, and it can have long-lasting consequences for the brat," said Meltzer-Brody. Children of depressed mothers are besides likely to develop mental health problems, and children of mothers through an active eating disorder may also be more likely to develop some eating disorder themselves. Making sure mothers struggling through mental health issues receive adequate charge and treatment is critical to breaking that cycle, said Meltzer-Brody.

"The word we need to get out is that these things are incredibly trite and routine screenings need to occur," related Meltzer-Brody. "The prevalence of betongue and eating disorder histories may have existence much higher than people appreciate."

Up to 25 percent of women actual trial physical or sexual abuse during their lifetime, a degree the UNC associate professor of psychiatry called "staggering." An estimated 6-8 percent of women are at more point affected by an eating sickness, with binge eating and bulimia nervosa essential ~ the most common, followed by anorexia and other disorders.

"Pregnancy and the postpartum circuit is a very vulnerable time in quest of women," said Meltzer-Brody. Rapid changes in visible form shape, weight and hormone levels, combined through major lifestyle changes during the change to motherhood, can take a tax on women - especially those with a annals of previous psychiatric issues.

Despite these challenges, Meltzer-Brody related pregnancy represents an ideal time toward doctors to intervene and help women secure mental health treatment if they indigence it. "[Pregnancy] is a time when people are really motivated to occasion changes and get treatment, because that be possible to have serious consequences for how you terminate and for how your children chouse," she said, adding that by conducting mental health screens during prenatal care, doctors be able to help curb pregnancy-related depression.

Notes:

The study's co-authors included Stephanie Zerwas, PhD, Jane Leserman, PhD, Ann Von Holle, Taylor Regis, and Cynthia Bulik, PhD, completely from the Department of Psychiatry at the UNC School of Medicine, UNC Center despite Women's Mood Disorders and UNC Eating Disorders Program.

Support towards the research came from the NIH Building Interdisciplinary Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Award to Dr. Meltzer-Brody.