Anxiety and Stress May be Seperate from Postpartum Depression
by courtkneeA new Australian study suggests that postpartum depression may not be the cause for anxiety in all women post-delivery. The study, appearing in the online edition of BMC Psychiatry, suggests that postpartum stress and anxiety may not be picked up by traditional postpartum depression screenings. While doctors and health care professionals are well versed in detecting postpartum depression, other anxieties that affect new mother may slip beneath the radar.
The study assessed 325 first-time mothers using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Both tests are standard measurements for depression, anxiety and stress.
The results showed that depression was detected in 61 of the 325 mothers. It was also discovered that 33 women (or 10 percent) had symptoms of stress and anxiety independent of depression. These women were identified using the DASS, and their anxiety had not been detected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
What does this mean for postnatal care of new mothers? The study indicates that there are many other emotional distresses that are not depression related. If doctors and health care providers just used the Edinburgh Scale, the anxiety and stress would go undetected and untreated. It is advised that doctors and health care providers look for anxiety and stress beyond regular postpartum depression. This can help many new mothers who don’t fit the standard profile of postpartum problems.
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