More awareness needed for antenatal depression
Post-natal depression is a familiar condition, however antenatal depression is far more unheard of, reports The Times.
One in four women experience an episode of depression in their life, and it’s most likely to occur during the reproductive years.
Symptoms during pregnancy such as tearfullness, anxiety, and being irritable are often put down to hormones, but could be signs of depression. Women who have had previous mental health problems are more likely to develop antenatal depression, as are women with difficult social circumstances or those in an unhappy relationship.
Treatments from the condition range from counselling, being encouraged to take more exercise, or in more serious cases cognitive behavioural therapy or being prescribed antidepressants, although this is only in very serious cases as it can harm the development of the baby.
