It may be more difficult for pregnant women to come out of depression. Rather, women who suffer from major depression are at significantly higher risk of relapse if they stop taking their antidepressant medications during pregnancy. This study is published in the recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. After studying 201 pregnant women who had a history of depression but were not currently depressed, Researchers at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital concluded on these findings. 26 percent of the patients, who continued taking their medication, had a relapse. And of those who stopped taking antidepressants, 68 percent relapsed! The study authors noted, ‘the findings dispute the common belief that hormonal changes during pregnancy can be “protective” and fend off depression’.
Now dismiss the myth that pregnancy hormones ward off depression and follow the new finding. If you are pregnant and using antidepressants, do not stop taking the drug. You will be putting yourself at great risk for another depressive episode, a new study has found. Dr. Lee Cohen, director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Women’s Mental Health and lead author of the study said, “white-knuckling it through pregnancy with recurrent depression may not be in the best interest of mom or the baby.” It is found that one in every six to seven women is at risk for major depression. Treating pregnant women has always involved weighing drug benefits to the mother against any possible risk to the developing fetus. Dr. David Kupfer, professor and chairman of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said that this study “puts the issue to bed once and for all.”
Fewer men fall victim to depression than women. Several gene variants linked to depression are found to occur only in women, according to researchers. A study said that the findings also include a gene variant related to female hormone regulation. It is found globally that twice as many women as men are handling depression. And at some time in her life, one out of eight women have an episode of major depression, according to the May issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter. Some of the major factors to be blames for this disease are genetics, acknowledgment of symptoms, stress, premenstrual disturbances and pregnancy. It is ‘heredity’ that accounts for up to 50 per cent of the risk for depression.
It is well known that woman suffer more from depression than men. But do you know, women who suffer from major depression are much more likely to have allergies than women who are not depressed? A new study of 3,032 people has found it. But, there is no more reason for men feel relief. Though there was no evidence directly linking allergies to depression in men, the same study found that men with nervous personalities tend to have more allergy symptoms. The same study found that men with nervous personalities tend to have more allergy symptoms, but there was no evidence directly linking allergies to depression in men. The researchers not only examined the association between depression and allergy, but also studied how personality may play a role in these two ailments…!
Does your girl child suffer from anxiety disorders or depression? Or did grow fat after reaching adulthood and used to stay depressed during childhood? But ways, as researchers say, anxiety disorders or depression, particularly at a young age, may put women at greater risk of obesity. Investigators followed 820 men and women from childhood through young adulthood, and found women with a history of either depression or anxiety – or, in many cases, both – tended to gain more weight over time. And when it came to depression, the earlier in life the disorder arose, the greater the weight gained.
The symptoms of post-natal depression are very similar to normal depression. It can be tearful, with the feelings of insignificance. Post natal depression is being recognized as a common condition following birth. It can be helpful if u know about the help available for what you are experiencing. Try for some exercise like a short walk. Swimming can be good in this situation. Don’t take crash diets or don’t go hungry for any long periods of time. In case you find the lost taste, do keep fruit, vegetables and bread. This will give the nutrients to your body. Don’t take the decisions which need major physical work. Don’t be too tough on yourself. It does not prove you as bad mother. Just look after yourself. There is always a tomorrow.
The charity APRIL (Adverse Psychiatric Reactions Information Link) in UK raised doubts about the side effects of the contraceptive pills, Dianette. This pill is used to treat bad skin and it may link to side effect as depression. It is now being reviewed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA). 100 women have reported serious depression while on drug. Dianette is an efficient contraceptive which is certified as a hormone treatment for severe acne. Depression is a known poor effect of Dianette, stated on its labeling. Schering UK, its manufacturer, says that Dianette is causing relentless depression and this is a reason for stopping Dianette immediately.
According to a new study, divorce in mid-life affects cardiovascular health of women as compared to men. Possible causes include financial lacking, emotional distress due to divorce. Married people suffer with less mental problems like depression and anxiety as compared to unmarried individuals. Divorced, widow and re-married women have more risks to suffer from health diseases in contrast to women with continual marriage. As per the figures, 31 percent of re-married women, 33 percent of divorced women and 30 percent of widows to be affected with heart diseases by the age of 60, than to 22 percent women with continuous marriage. Divorce does not affect men, but re-married men found to be 19 percent less affected with heart diseases as compared to men with continual marriage having financially sound.
If there is really a link between chronic headache and depression, then it is really an appalling disclosure because all of us know that in the recent years depression cases have accrued startlingly. However, another revelation, which states that chronic headache is more prevalent in women who pass through the dastardly phase of childhood abuse and sexual abuse is quite significant. But repeatedly a question peeps out that why this study is tongue-tied about men. Is this equation applicable only for women not for men? If the answer is ‘yes’, then what is the reason behind this is? Don’t you think it should be out?
Working women in the US find that their intellectual and physical abilities are at stake. The reason: their depression going untreated at the workplace. Depression has become equivalent to common cold of mental health, as a study would show that workforce contains 72 percent of the population that suffers from depression. Employers continue to contribute to a sharp decrease in productivity by ignoring the mental needs of their employees. It’s high time they take up the role of Janet Irgang’s, an in-house psychotherapist for Baptist Health South Florida, who has been only listening to her 11,000 workers for the past 10 year, 75% of which are women.