Perinatal Depression: Symptoms, Prevalence, Causes, Treatment and Prevention Strategies

Perinatal depression is a serious concern in Australia affecting 1 out of 5 mothers of children aged 2 years or less. It can affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the person and even the newborn child. The prevalence rate of this problem has increased in a high rate and this perinatal depression even crosses the prevalence rate of baby blues. Read more about its symptoms, prevalence, causes, treatment and prevention strategies in this document.

Introduction
 A perinatal depression
refers to the depression
faced by the woman during
their pregnancy or within a
year after the birth of the
child. Prenatal depression is
one of the most serious area
of concern in Australia.
This depression can affect
the physical wellbeing of
the person also.The
prevalence rate of this
problem has increased in a
high rate and this perinatal
depression even crosses the
prevalence rate of baby
blues that is usual
symptoms among the
mother after the birth of the
baby due to drastic changes
in the hormone level of the
woman.During this time,
the emotional health of the
person is in very vulnerable
condition (Chen et al.
2018).
It is observed that,
perinatal depression
can affect the new born
child through the poor
cognitive, physical
development, poor
immune system and
malnutrition (Chen et al.
2018).
Symptoms
 Abrupt mode
swing
 Nervousness
 Sleeping problem
 Isolation from
personal life
 Irritation
 Frequent crying.
 Feeling guilty
 Hallucination
(Sockol 2015)
Fear and anxiety
PERINATAL
DEPRESSION
IF
In USA, the perinatal
depression is
observed among 10-
20% of woman. In
Asia, 65% or more
mothers have the
problem of perinatal
depression. The
male, who have
partners with
perinatal depression,
have more chances to
have depression

JJ Prevalence of the Disease
It is observed that almost 10-20% of
women are experiencing the
depression either in the first 12
months of post-partum or during the
pregnancy period.In world, almost
121 million people is suffering from
the depression and it is associated
with the severe consequences of those
persons. Due to severe mental
depression, the patient may face
extreme consequences like death due
to commencement of suicide. It is
observed that there are 850,000 deaths
per year due to the severe depression.
Moreover, The prevalence rate is
much higher in the developmental
countries of the world (Sockol 2015).
Causes of Perinatal
depression
Although there is no exact
cause of perinatal depression.
Moreover, there are a few
factors that can contribute to
the onset of perinatal
depression.The contributive
factors are- sleep deficiency,
vitamin D deficiency,
inadequate social support,
and experience of trauma
during or after birth of the
child, previous history of
depression (Nicholson et al.
2016).

Australia and Perinatal
Depression
 In Australia, 1 out of
5 mothers of
children (aged
2years or less) are
affected with the
disease.
 Overall 111,000 was
diagnosed with
depression and
among them 56000
patients are
suffering from the
perinatal depression
(Chambers et al.
2018).
Most vulnerable group
The disease is reported to
be more common among
the mothers who belong to
the following group-
 Under the age of
25
 Having the
Problem of
obesity.
 Regular smoker
 Belongs to a low
income family
 Lives in a remote
areas.
Treatment
Some of the treatment
for the perinatal
depression can be
medication management,
counselling, referrals to
psychologists, social
workers and other
support groups.
Antidepressants are
suitable for the disease
in Australia. However,
medical practitioners are
nowadays are focusing
on the non-
pharmacological
therapies such as talk
therapies (Sockol 2015).
Self- Prevention
Strategies
 Experience sharing
with others.
 Talk to your trusted
family members
 Seek company when
feeling bad
 Seek help from
support group.
 Limit alcohol
consumption and quit
smoking
 Directly ask for
emotional support
(Dennis 2016)
S

Government Initiatives
Australian Government has
initiated a program named
‘National Perinatal
Depression Initiative’ to
provide support to the
patients. Under this initiative,
Government will create
awareness program among
the community, provide
training to the health care
professionals. In addition,
government will provide
special treatment and care to
the patients and to the women
who are at the risk zone.
Special depression screening
program will be conducted
for the pregnant woman. It is
suggested that, if anyone is
feeling low mode, she should
contact the Child and Family
Health Nurse, GP or another
health professionals
(Chambers et al. 2018).
References:
Chambers, G.M., Randall, S., Mihalopoulos, C., Reilly, N., Sullivan, E.A., Highet, N., Morgan, V.A., Croft, M.L., Chatterton,
M.L. and Austin, M.P., 2018. Mental health consultations in the perinatal period: a cost-analysis of Medicare services
provided to women during a period of intense mental health reform in Australia. Australian Health Review, 42(5), pp.514-
521.
Chen, J., Cross, W., Plummer, V., Lam, L. and Sun, M., 2018. The prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression
among Chinese immigrant women in Australia.
Dennis, C.L., 2016. ‘Time for self’appears to be a proactive strategy for the prevention of postpartum
depression. Evidence-based nursing, pp.ebnurs-2016.
Goyal, D., Gay, C., Torres, R. and Lee, K., 2018. Shortening day length: a potential risk factor for perinatal
depression. Journal of behavioral medicine, 41(5), pp.690-702.
Nicholson, L., Lecour, S., Sliwa, K., Wedegärtner, S., Kindermann, I. and Böhm, M., 2016. Assessing perinatal depression
as an indicator of risk for pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular journal of Africa, 27(27), p.119.
Sockol, L.E., 2015. A systematic review of the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating and preventing