Cases of perinatal depression on the rise: NIMHANS

Symptoms include insomnia, lack of appetite and difficulty to bond with the baby

Today, mothers around the world wake up to special treats and lovingly-made gifts to mark Mother’s Day. Often, a woman is told that being a mother is one of the greatest joys in life. However, what if the arrival of her baby signals the onset of unrealistic expectations, worry and anxiety? Sadhana (name changed), a young mother, remembers feeling anxious and depressed after her son was born. Instead of celebrating with the rest of the family, she found herself crying for no reason at all. It didn’t help that she was plagued by shame and guilt for feeling ‘so sad after such a happy event’.

It was only after speaking to a mental health professional in Bengaluru that she learned she was suffering from perinatal depression, symptoms of which manifest during pregnancy (ante-natal) and in the post-pregnancy (postpartum) period.

Increased awareness

In Bengaluru, the perinatal clinic at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has recorded more than 100 per cent rise in the number of cases over a one-year period. There were 238 new registrations in 2015-16, more than twice the previous year’s figures (104). Since the start of this year, the clinic, which works with mothers and infants, has been seeing about eight to ten new cases a week, as opposed to an average of five a week the previous year. Doctors, however, are quick to add that the rise is the result of not only higher incidence but also increased awareness among patients and obstetricians. “We have been training obstetricians to detect and refer cases to us, and this has led to more cases of mothers with perinatal depression coming to us,” said Prabha Chandra, professor and head, department of psychiatry at NIMHANS, who specialises in perinatal care.

Symptoms of perinatal depression may include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability and difficulty in bonding with the baby. There is no single trigger for perinatal depression.

While women with a history of mental illness are predisposed to the disorder, it can also be triggered by factors such as the lack of support during pregnancy and childbirth, and difficulties in adjustment at home.

“Studies show that mothers, who are highly stressed out or have mental health problems during pregnancy, can have low-birth weight babies or pre-term deliveries. The children may also suffer from conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” said Dr. Chandra.

“At NIMHANS, we have psychologists, social workers and infant psychologists working with the nurses and psychiatrists,” said Geetha Desai, perinatal psychiatrist with the unit.

Treatment varies from counselling to cognitive therapy, but there are cases where patients are diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, a severe mental illness which needs round-the-care treatment for both mother and infant.

Campaign launched

To raise more awareness on the issue and remove the stigma attached to perinatal depression, the White Swan Foundation for Mental Health and NIMHANS’s Perinatal Psychiatry Services launched a month-long campaign on Wednesday.

“A lot of new mothers say they wished someone had asked them how they were doing emotionally after childbirth,” said Pavitra Jayaraman of White Swan Foundation.

‘Mental health issues during pregnancy can affect baby’s health’

• According to the World Health Organisation, one in seven women in developing countries suffers from perinatal depression, which manifests during pregnancy (ante-natal) and in the post-pregnancy (postpartum) period.