Much attention has been given by the healthcare industry and medical practitioners in the treatment of postpartum depression over postpartum anxiety. This trend is facing the challenge posed by a recent study conducted by the University of British Columbia’s Clinical Psychologist and Lead Researcher, Dr. Nicole Fairbrother.
The study compared clinical data of diagnosed anxiety and depression in pregnant women and women who recently gave birth. Dr. Fairbrother’s study yielded results of 16 percent of pregnant women and 17 percent of new mothers diagnosed with anxiety while only 4 percent of pregnant women and about 5 percent of new mothers are diagnosed with depression. A previous study done by researchers from Penn State yielded similar results. About 17 percent of the respondents who are new mothers were diagnosed with anxiety while only 6 percent were diagnosed with depression. This is a clear indication of the propensity of more pregnant women and new mothers to get diagnosed with postpartum anxiety over postpartum depression.
Depression is generally characterized by lack of zest for life, disconnect, numbness and etc. while anxiety is characterized by constant worrying, restlessness, rapid heartbeat and so on. Dr. …show more content…
Dr. Fairbrother even recalls having worked with a mother who struggled with her thoughts of harming her own child. The anxiety overwhelms the mother and causes much frustration which in turn intensifies her depression. Jonathan Abramowitz, Ph. D., University of North Carolina’s Associate Chairman of Psychology and Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorder Clinic, shares the same sentiment. He refers to postpartum anxiety as the hidden disorder due to its lack of diagnosis and treatment amidst studies indicating its widespread
The study compared clinical data of diagnosed anxiety and depression in pregnant women and women who recently gave birth. Dr. Fairbrother’s study yielded results of 16 percent of pregnant women and 17 percent of new mothers diagnosed with anxiety while only 4 percent of pregnant women and about 5 percent of new mothers are diagnosed with depression. A previous study done by researchers from Penn State yielded similar results. About 17 percent of the respondents who are new mothers were diagnosed with anxiety while only 6 percent were diagnosed with depression. This is a clear indication of the propensity of more pregnant women and new mothers to get diagnosed with postpartum anxiety over postpartum depression.
Depression is generally characterized by lack of zest for life, disconnect, numbness and etc. while anxiety is characterized by constant worrying, restlessness, rapid heartbeat and so on. Dr. …show more content…
Dr. Fairbrother even recalls having worked with a mother who struggled with her thoughts of harming her own child. The anxiety overwhelms the mother and causes much frustration which in turn intensifies her depression. Jonathan Abramowitz, Ph. D., University of North Carolina’s Associate Chairman of Psychology and Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorder Clinic, shares the same sentiment. He refers to postpartum anxiety as the hidden disorder due to its lack of diagnosis and treatment amidst studies indicating its widespread