Prenatal Depression: New Study Links to History of Abuse & Eating Disorders
New Study Helps to Break the Silence on Prenatal Depression
Depression, (in it’s many forms) and I are well aquatinted. Have I personally struggled with it, as in me? Am I or have I been diagnosed with a clinical form of depression? No. I think all of us have gone through times of being depressed, perhaps even deeply so – where you start to wonder, ‘should I get checked out?’
During pregnancy or otherwise. Loved ones, both close family and friends are the ones that I speak of. But those are their stories, and not mine to share.
Breaking The Silence
We hear about postpartum (PPD) but rarely do we talk or hear about prenatal depression. This recent study though, comes as no short surprise to me, as a woman who worked in Social Work and has lived in the manic company of (depression). Researchers at the University of North Carolina, have determined that pregnancy-related depression is linked to having a history of physical or sexual abuse and eating disorders and 1 in 10 women suffer from it. This resonated within me to my core. As a survivor of physical and sexual abuse, I know, through my academic training and personal struggle/healing journey and it’s many stages through it all; this could be me.
Honestly? I am coping, at best; through this pregnancy. I am overwhelmed and exhausted much of the time. Dark memories come to the surface much more when pregnant than when I am not. Nightmares/night terrors seem to come back with the same frequency and disturbance of my younger years. At times, it affects my work production I find myself in a pool of tears over not much. Or so I try to tell myself in that ‘SUCK IT UP!’ way that many of us survivors often have with our inner struggle. Those are on my bad days. There are good days too and I am a PRO at keeping the bad days under wraps. Except perhaps to my partner.
Of course, it doesn’t help that many of the symptoms of prenatal depression are that of common pregnancy ailments. How do we know whether the fatigue, insomnia and appetite changes experienced are run-of-the-mill pregnancy woes, or symptoms of full-on prenatal depression? If they are associated by such standard symptoms of depression as persistent sadness, a lack for enjoying life, anxiety, an inability to concentrate and/or extreme irritability, you should at least consider the possibility that you could be suffering from prenatal depression.
Findings
The study surveyed 158 pregnant and postpartum women undergoing treatment for depression. One-third of the patients reported a history of eating disorders. Also, many had a history of physical or sexual abuse, which could increase a woman’s chances of developing depression during or after pregnancy. Well, no duh. The same researched data has been published countless times in regards to those who are not pregnant, why on earth would these things not affect a pregnant woman? Or only until such recent ‘discoveries?’ Oh, I forgot. Because pregnant women are supposed to be blissed out, shiny happy people.
Outcome
I wonder how long it will take then; for the US, Canada, INCLUDING reservation clinics, (and a disgusting amount of other sets of patient referral and treatment procedures/policies that need to be implemented on rez), and the rest of the world to catch on? How long before:
‘Mental health screening tools that include questions about eating disorders, abuse and other factors need to be incorporated into routine prenatal care,’ as Samantha Meltzer-Brody said, MD, the lead author of the study and director of UNC’s Perinatal Psychiatry Program. “Making sure mothers struggling with mental health issues receive adequate assessment and treatment is critical to breaking that cycle,” said Meltzer-Brody.
“The message we need to get out is that these things are incredibly common and routine screenings need to occur,” said Meltzer-Brody. “The prevalence of abuse and eating disorder histories may be much higher than people appreciate…pregnancy and the postpartum period is a very vulnerable time for women,” continued Meltzer-Brody.
Talk about taking a good, hard look at oneself and assessing my needs. Are there other pregnant women out there who are perhaps experiencing the same, or worse, and afraid to speak out or get support? Are my struggles that big? No. While I definitely feel guilty enough for them to be, they are not. But. I’m a survivor with an incredible support system. Not all women are so lucky. I am grateful for the ceremonies that have been passed onto me by my elders to help this process along and see some light.
I am grateful that even as I write this, I feel more centered and know that my ongoing/past treatments will get me through. This is for the women/pregnant women who have not had treatment or are too ashamed to seek it. Therapy, in it’s many forms, is a form of STRENGTH not weakness. (If only it were accessible for all). Seek it if you can. For you and your child(ren). Even though there will be hum-dinger, horrible days, for the most part – you will find peace. Even happiness. Blessed be the child who rises above. Blessed be the child of the mother who rises above.
The full study has been published in The Journal of Women’s Health and can be partially viewed here.
My Goddess, I’m glad to read this. Only last night, I reached out to an experienced mom-friend (I’m in my first pregnancy), asking “Can this depression possibly be normal?!?! I hate my partner, hate being pregnant, want an abortion, and I’m constantly exhausted!! What happened to ‘glowing pregnant chick’???”
I’m blessed that she answered me honestly and unflinchingly that yes, it’s normal. Now, reading this article with its links to the past,it makes even more sense.
Thank you.
You don’t mention (that I’ve read yet) any suggestions for easing it, so I’ll pass on what my friend suggested- fish oil, increased folic acid, and vitamin C helped her. I’m giving them a try, starting today.
@Bella – Your feelings are definitely pretty intense and worthy of seeking help. I briefly touched on my own coping mechanisms, but please let me be clear. I am not a professional therapist, nor do I feel I suffer from clinical prenatal depression. I questioned it – absolutely, upon reading the study. Given my past. However, I am in a constant state of seeking good health, both mentally and physically. I reach out daily to my support system. Do I know for sure? Of course not. What I am sure of is, that I am getting more help and taking care of my health more than many who are clinically diagnosed with prenatal depression. However. I am a trained social worker with many years of personal therapy and alternative as well as mainstream forms of treatment under my belt. To this day. I highly suggest to any and all women who question whether or not they have depression to seek help.
My forms of coping through this pregnancy (both by way of natural circumstance and focused appliance):
1. First and foremost, the love and support of my friends, family and partner.
2. The love of my child and the beauty of motherhood.
3. Living in a stable, abuse free, loving home.
4. Seeing my elder and having ceremony on the bad days.
5. Ceremony: smudging, daily walks by the water, prayer, feast, earth to body connection, massage, intensive talk/work with my elder or other people in my community of support.
5. A balanced diet rich in leafy greens and protein, low in wheat and gluten and increased vitamin intake: increased vitamin D, iron, calcium, Omega 3′s, some of which you’ve mentioned.
6. Exercise: long walks and yoga, I’m thinking to add regular swimming into my routine.
7. Outdoor activity, sunshine, musical environments.
8. Doing activities I love, spending time with my family, making art, crafting, cooking.
9. All of the good days I have being pregnant. The beauty of knowing I am growing life, a miracle. The anticipation of birthing, seeing and holding my child, finally – in my arms.
10. The grounding knowledge that I have and continue to break the cycle in building this strong, healthy, love-drunk family.
If you are wondering about more treatment options, this may of interest to you – but above all else, as I can’t stress enough, I am not a professional. There are many forms of clinical depression, at times dangerous, life-altering and all-consuming to live with. Please know that you are not alone, there is nothing to be ashamed of and you are strong in your self-awareness to seek help.
If you’re concerned enough that you might have depression that you’re googling symptoms, you’re probably right. Anyway, it never hurts to get checked out by a mental health professional, even if you think it’s “just hormones.” They can offer coping mechanisms and discuss the pros and cons of medication during pregnancy, if warranted. Having been through major depression several times in my life, I can’t speak too highly of the benefits of getting help. Excuse my french here, but fuck the stigma. It has nothing to do with being weak. It’s a brain chemical thing, and it’s not your fault.
@Kate – Is your comment directed towards me or other readers? Just looking to clarify, because if me – allow me to clarify MYself. I wrote this article based on having found the recent study on prenatal depression, which hit my inbox the other morning (I’m subscribed to many newswires/blogs/health-site, etc.). Not because I was googling symptoms, of which I am well educated on what those are. A point I thought I made clear in my post. If your response was for other readers out there – thank-you! For joining in my voice for more to hear that, ‘it never hurts to get checked out by a mental health professional, even if you think it’s just hormones.’ In fact, I wholeheartedly agree with ALL of the points you make, just as long as we are on the same page regarding where I was coming from in my own personal story, how I assess as it relates and how I cope. To echo your words, ‘fuck the stigma’ – and my own, ‘seeking help (‘alternative’ or mainstream), is a sign of STRENGTH not weakness.
My intent was to share how, when reading the study, naturally (as my own personal history abides) – I questioned my own struggles and if they are more than just, ‘pregnancy woes.’ I respect the difference between clinical depression caused by chemical imbalance/trauma/experience and normal (for someone with my history) struggles and challenges, heightened by the fluctuating hormones of pregnancy. There are some mighty fine lines in there and that’s part of what the study was about. As I also stated in my post, I have an outstanding support system and have never veered off of my healing path of therapy. The over-riding factor here, of which I am sure we are in agreement, is the fact that pregnant or not, having depression is no one’s fault, pregnant or otherwise – and that it’s time to lay the stigma (especially surrounding pregnant women and mothers), to rest. That we or society’s opinion be anything but. (Ashamed, guilty, bad mother, etc.)