Type 2 diabetes - Gestational diabetes increases the risk of postpartum depression

Type 2 diabetes - Gestational diabetes increases the risk of postpartum depression

According to a recent study from the Ilam University of Medical Sciences in Ilam, Iran, and the Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences in Behbahan, Iran, gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-related diabetes, increases the risk of postpartum depression, or the new mother's depression. A longer period of time than usual "baby blues" women often experience after giving birth. The researchers reported in the journal in February 2019Diabetes research and clinical practice,Recommend postpartum screening for all women diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy.

The researchers reviewed a total of 18 studies with a total of 2,370,958 participants. The researchers combined the results of all of these studies and analyzed them as one large study. They found that women with gestational diabetes had a 59 percent increased risk of developing postpartum depression compared to non-diabetic women after giving birth. According to the World Health Organization, about 13 percent of pregnant women worldwide suffer from postpartum depression. In developing countries, the number can be as high as nearly 20 percent, and in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control estimates the number to be about 1 in 9.

Many signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to typical depression, while others are specific to the condition...

• an anxious or empty mood that doesn't lift,

• Feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness or worthlessness,

• feeling irritable or restless,

• Loss of interest in previously interesting activities,

• energy loss,

• insomnia or too much sleep,

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions,

• overeating or loss of appetite,

• have suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts,

• pain that does not respond to treatment,

• Cry,

• intense irritability,

• withdrawal from family and friends,

• numb feelings or difficulty bonding with their baby,

• are afraid of hurting their baby,

• feeling inadequate to care for their baby.

Depression and suicide hotlines are listed online. Primary care physicians can provide referrals to specialists with training and experience in treating depression. Physical activity is helpful for brain chemistry and produces endorphins that make us feel better. Some people fear antidepressants, but they can make a big difference in overcoming depression. Some helpful medications are...

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

• Prozac (fluoxetine)

• Zoloft (sertraline),

• Lexapro (escitalopram),

• Luvox (fluvoxamine),

• Prozac (fluoxetine),

• Celexa (citalopram),

• Vibrid (Volazodone),

• Brintellix (vortioxetine),

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):

• Pristiq or Khedezia (desvenlafaxine),

• Effexor (venlaxafine),

• Fetzima (Levomilnacipran) and

• Cymbalta (duloxetine).

Tricyclics:

• Elavil (amitriptyline),

• norpramin (desipramine),

• Asendin (amoxapine),

• Anafranil (clomipramine),

• Pamelor (nortriptyline),

• Tofranil (imipramine),

• Vivactil (protriptyline) and

• Surmontil (trimipramine)

Untreated postpartum depression can last months or longer. Treatment usually includes counseling along with antidepressants or hormone therapy.

Inspired by Beverleigh H Piepers