Finally, a Study Shows that This Emotion IS a Symptom of Postpartum Depression

It might come as a surprise to no one that anger can be related to postpartum mood problems in women, and yet that very emotion is not once included in the widely used Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale screening tool. (You know, the sheet your ob-gyn likely had you fill out at your six-week postpartum appointment, that included prompts like "I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong" or "I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.") However, a new study from the University of British Columbia shows that anger is, in fact, a significant feature in postpartum mood disturbances, and researchers recommend that women be screened for it, in addition to depression and anxiety, specifically. "Many mothers have expressed feeling let down by others in terms of support from partners, family members, and health-care providers as well." The data analysis — which examined postpartum depression literature over a 25-year time period — also found that feelings of powerlessness, a mismatch between reality and expectations of motherhood, and unmet expectations of support contributed to anger in the context of postpartum depression. "Mothers may feel that they have not met their own expectations and that also others may judge them because, for example, they're formula-feeding instead of breastfeeding," Ou said. "Many mothers have also expressed feeling let down by others in terms of support from partners, family members, and health-care providers as well." To that end, Ou and her coauthor Wendy Hall believe this analysis serves as a vital starting point. "It's important for healthcare providers to examine maternal anger in the postnatal period in order to understand and manage that risk." Image Source: Unsplash / Christian Fregnan

• Mayra Rodriguez
• Posted on June 29, 2018
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