• Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Write for Australian Women Online
  • Advertise With Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Style
  • Shoe Boutique
  • eFashion
  • Weight Watchers Australia

Australian Women Online

Business, career, health and lifestyle content for women

  • Home
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS
  • BUSINESS
  • CAREER
  • COOKING
  • HEALTH
  • LIFESTYLE
    • Automotive
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Pets
    • Relationships
    • Your Home
    • Your Money
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • TRAVEL
    • Discount Holidays
You are here: Home / HEALTH / Women delay perinatal depression help, to avoid medicines

Women delay perinatal depression help, to avoid medicines

22 April 2008 by Australian Women Online

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • WhatsApp

About one in three women experience postnatal depression. Fifteen percent have more severe symptoms which can negatively affect the baby and lead to chronic depression, marital difficulties and suicide, according to an article in the current issue of Australian Prescriber.

The earlier that a mother or mother-to-be gets help for depression, the better it is for her and the baby and the more likely she is to be helped without using medicines, Professor of Women’s Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, Anne Buist says. “Signs of depression before the birth of a baby may indicate a postnatal risk.”

For many women, depression may start while they are pregnant and they are reluctant to seek help perinatally as they do not want to take prescription medicines while they are pregnant or breast-feeding writes Professor Buist. (“Perinatal” refers to the time before a baby is born and a year after it.)

“Unless women have previously had depression, they rarely recognise it for themselves before the birth. For most women, this is their first episode of depression and it is unexpected because they feel they should be happy about becoming a mother,” says Professor Buist.

When women do seek help, it is often for the baby and not for themselves. She says some pregnant women and new mothers can be reluctant to admit to their feelings as they fear their doctor may prescribe antidepressants.

“Many women with perinatal depression may not need medicines,” says Professor Buist. “Although in some cases medicine may become an option depending on how serious the depression is.”

Professor Buist discusses how counselling and support groups may help some mothers. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals can help to connect women to these groups.

“Change of life stress at this time is normal and needs to be distinguished from major depression,” says Professor Buist. She encourages women to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse, or to contact a support organisation.

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) Medicines Line provides advice about taking medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding.  Call 1300 888 763 from Monday – Friday from 9am – 6pm to speak with a pharmacist (for the cost of a local call), or visit www.nps.org.au.

BeyondBlue can be contacted on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au, and the Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA) has some useful information on its website at www.panda.org.au. PANDA can be reached on (03) 9481 3377 or, from within Victoria, on 1300 726 306.

To read the article by Professor Buist visit the Australian Prescriber website www.australianprescriber.com

AAP

 

You May Also Like:

Filed Under: HEALTH, Uncategorized

Ads by Google
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

New Content

  • The Long-Term Benefits of Property Investment in Singapore for Wealth Building
  • How to Start a Successful Career in Nutrition
  • Best One-Piece Swimsuits to Wear in 2023
  • Identifying Potential Clients and Building Relationships with Them
  • Trending: Vegan Bags in 2023
  • 9 Solar Benefits You Can’t Ignore
  • The Social Benefits of Running: How Running Can Help You Build Relationships
  • Cheek to Chic: How to Achieve the Ultimate Glowing Makeup with Ease
  • How to Transform Your Bathroom Without Breaking the Bank
  • Why You Should Book Yourself a Photoshoot
Technogym

Popular Content

  • Moore Weekly Stars
  • Sexy and Stylish Short Hairstyles for Women Over 60
  • Rip Curl Almost Famous Ii Womens Full Cotton Cargo Pants Vetiver Vetiver
  • Top 9 Cars for Women in Australia
  • Carla Zampatti Hollywood Royalty Ball Gown
  • Best One-Piece Swimsuits to Wear in 2023
  • Carla Zampatti A Sense Of Style Skirt
  • Papua New Guinean TV drama 'It Takes A Village' will make Australian debut on International Women's Day
  • Alannah Hill Passion Of Life Skirt
  • Rip Curl Almost Famous Iii Walkshort Vetiver Vetiver

Australian Women Online © Copyright 2007 - 2023 Deborah Robinson ABN 38 119 171 979 · All Rights Reserved