One of the largest studies ever conducted on postpartum mental illness has found that first time moms are at a much greater risk for a variety of mental illnesses during the first three months after giving birth. Not just post partum depression but other more serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
The Study
Danish researchers looked at the records of one million women over a course of 32 years from the time their child was born. According to their data, new, first time mothers are seven times more likely to be admitted to a mental hospital for serious mental illness than second time mothers. They were three times more likely to use an out patient facility to treat their mental illnesses as were second time moms. First time dads were less likely to need psychiatric help than first time moms, but they were not entirely immune either. (However, first time dads were no more likely to suffer symptoms of a psychiatric disorder than dads who had more children.)
Postpartum Mental Illness
Postpartum depression, which is considered fairly common in new moms, happens to approximately one in seven mothers. Experts think that perhaps 40% to 50% of cases go undiagnosed and so perhaps the number of women who suffer from postpartum depression is much higher. Postpartum psychosis affects approximately 1 in 1,000 new moms. It can be devastating to families if not treated. One example of the devastating affects of post partum psychosis is the Andrea Yates case.
The study is noted as “landmark” because of the attention it brings to something that is still not frequently talked about. The link to first time motherhood and mental illness is striking and significant. One potential application seems to be the screening of first time moms for mental illness. Doctors note that most women don’t see a doctor until two to six weeks postpartum and by that time, the new mother may have slipped too deeply into psychosis. Diagnosis and early treatment are essential to helping new moms cope.
Needed Support
Hopefully the results of this study will help physicians. . .all physicians involved in the family’s care. . .help new moms recognize symptoms and get help as needed. I know that in the hospital in which I gave birth to my first daughter, I was interviewed by a social worker before I was discharged as part of the general routine. At the time I remember being insulted until a week later in the news was a story about a mother who strangled her one month old baby because she wouldn’t stop crying. If interviews help screen potentially dangerous situations and can prevent one infant death or injury then in my opinion it’s a good program.
In our case, the social worker asked questions about the type of support that we had to bring home a new baby. I am fortunate in that we are surrounded by church friends, family, and my husband does major baby duty! But I can see easily how a lack of support could be the top of a slippery slope downwards to mental illness for a new mother. No doubt it takes a lot of work and no matter how “prepared” you are. . .you never really know what’s coming.
One thing that I find very interesting is that there was no one looked at the connection between sleep deprivation or hormones and the role they play in a new mother’s mental illness. Sleep deprivation has been known to cause depression symptoms. But perhaps they’re saving that for the next study!