Pregnancy can be challenging and fulfilling at the same time. How much you enjoy your pregnancy, depends on how well you tackle the problems that come your way. However, one must understand that child birth is all about dealing with constant changes. As the baby develops within you, your body undergoes a series of changes to provide for its growth and development. These are manifested in the form of physical as well as psychological symptoms, which might not be easy to deal with.
One such symptom is depression. Pregnancy and depression are correlated in more ways than one. However, you must first understand the difference between simple mood swings and depression. Mood swings or occasional emotional outbursts are common pregnancy symptoms which are predominant in the first trimester. They generally occur due to rise in hormone levels and can be tackled by an empathetic approach, emotional support and simple counselling.
Depression is a bigger problem, both is intensity and magnitude. It is represented by a fixed set of symptoms. A pregnant woman is said to be suffering from depression when she experiences symptoms of sleep disorders, reduced appetite, constant anxiety, acute mood fluctuations, weight loss as well as constant fatigue and reduced energy levels. In acute cases, she may also get suicidal. Whereas 20% women experience mood swings during pregnancy, around 10% develop serious depression.
There can be various causes of depression in pregnant women. Stressful events like financial instability, relocation, insecurity etc can prove to be major triggers. Women who have a history of depression in the family are more likely to get affected. Also, depression is seen mostly in women who have experienced pregnancy related trauma, like miscarriages or failed pregnancy etc in the past. An unplanned pregnancy might also cause depression. Depression can also be the effect of a complicated pregnancy.
In most cases, depression in pregnant women can be alleviated with professional counselling. In more serious cases, one might seek professional advice. Anti-depressant drugs are available, but they need to be administered with care especially during pregnancy. Pregnancy and depression are related in a number of ways, detecting the symptoms early can facilitate cure.
Author: Cindy Richards
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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