Postpartum Depression: The Inside Scoop

I had the great honor of working with a leading expert on postpartum depression, Dr. Shoshana S. Bennett, Ph.D., who is the Founder and Director of Postpartum Assistance for Mothers, and the author of Beyond the Blues, Postpartum Depression for Dummies, and Pregnant on Prozac. She generously contributed her knowledge and experience to the Nine Months Later Chapter in Eating for Pregnancy: The Essential Nutrition Guide and Cookbook for Today’s Mothers-to-Be. After listening to all of her advice, spoken in her typically calm and reassuring way, I only regret that I didn’t know her when my daughter was born prematurely and I needed a shoulder to cry on.

I encourage any new mothers, who are experiencing even the tiniest bit of depression, to read Shoshana’s books and her valuable contribution to Eating for Pregnancy. Check out her website at http://drshosh.com/; her blog at http://drshosh.com/category/blog/; and her facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Postpartum-Depression-Recovery-Shoshana-Bennett-Ph/170096258486. I caught up with Dr. Shosh this month to ask her  if there were any new developments on the postpartum depression scene. Here’s what she had to say.

Are there any new trends in the treatment of PPD that we will see in 2010? New drugs? Natural therapies? Alternative medicines? Women are becoming more and more interested in natural treatments for their PPD and this grass roots demand is driving more studies in the area.  The increasing research regarding the effectiveness of omega 3 fish oil in the treatment and prevention of PPD is one example.

You very kindly share your two experiences with PPD in my book. Have you experienced any depression since your PPD? Is it common for moms to experience another bout of depression down the road? Any advice for those who do? I have not experienced another bout of depression, but during perimenopause I did experience some mood instability.  I sought help from alternative practitioners and shortly thereafter was myself again.  Women are not more likely to suffer depression after PPD as long as they’ve been treated to complete wellness and they don’t have a past history of depression.  But even if they are high risk, there are ways to help them avoid more depression moving forward.  A comprehensive wellness strategy can be provided which will stand them in very good stead.

Has the number of PPD cases risen in the world over the past 10 years, or are researchers just getting more effective at culling the numbers? If the numbers are increasing, what is the most likely cause? The jury’s still out on this question. PPD is not a new phenomenon – as far back as women have been birthing babies, a certain percentage have become depressed.  Regarding the increase in the number of women diagnosed, I think it’s a combination.  Professionals are now more capable of identifying the illness, and there are growing expectations of new mothers in various societies.  I also believe that in areas of the world (the United States very much included) we are nutritionally bankrupt due to many factors including the lack of minerals in our soil, not enough fish being eaten, and an excess of processed foods in our diet.

PPD in fathers seems to be on the radar these days. Is this condition increasing or is it just being better researched? It’s being better researched.  PPD was regarded until relatively recently as a “mother’s” issue.  Now we know better, and dads have help as well.  Due to some excellent research, pediatricians are trained to ask new fathers (as well as mothers) a few questions regarding their mental health.  We now know that depression in either parent can lead to problems in the child(ren).

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