A major new research report advising women to swap medication for exercise to treat postpartum depression has sparked outrage among women’s health experts.
The newly published analysis by researchers at the China University of Geosciences aims to prove it Exercises such as running at least twice a week are more effective than traditional treatments.
Antidepressants and psychological therapies are the approved drugs for the condition, the benefits of which have been proven in several studies.
The condition, which affects about 10 million American women, is closely related to suicide after childbirth.
According to studies, suicide is the most common cause of death after childbirth.
Former Victoria’s Secret model Chrissy Teigen has admitted she suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth to her first child, saying the months after giving birth were a “sad life”.
Doctors criticized the design and conclusions of the new study, accusing the authors of underestimating the severity of the disease.
Dr. Nicole Cirino, a Texas-based psychiatrist who specializes in treating women before and after childbirth, told DailyMail.com that it is unreasonable to suggest an exercise plan as a treatment to a woman after giving birth.
She said: “They looked at you like you were crazy and said, ‘Hey, I just had a baby.’ I’m on bed rest.’
She added of being a new mom: “That’s the last thing on my mind right now with all the things I have to do to look after this little one or go back to work.”
Symptoms of postpartum depression can be debilitating, including thoughts of harming yourself or others, persistent sadness, loss of energy, and feelings of worthlessness.
Dr. Ian Bennett, an obstetrician and maternal health expert at the University of Washington, told DailyMail.com: “Exercise will not be enough to control more severe depression.”
“We need to make sure we offer more effective therapies to people in this situation.”
Meanwhile, Dr. British maternal health expert Stephanie deGiorgio told DailyMail.com the conclusions were “devastating.”
She said: “Suicide due to postnatal mental illness, including postnatal depression, is one of the leading causes of death for women in the year following childbirth.”
Women suffering from postpartum depression often experience sadness, hopelessness, emptiness and depression
“Postpartum depression is a serious illness that often requires treatment with medication and talk therapy.”
“Although exercise is good for health and for some people with depression, it is important that postpartum women with this very serious condition are diagnosed and receive the correct evidence-based treatment from a health professional.”
Celebrities who suffer from it include model and influencer Chrissy Teigen and the late Princess Diana.
In 2020, Teigen admitted that she experienced a “flat line in life” after the birth of her first child, Luna.
Meanwhile, the “People’s Princess” revealed to the BBC that she suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her first child, Prince William.
For the latest study, scientists in China analyzed 26 studies, including nearly 2,900 pregnant and postpartum women aged 18 and older.
They concluded: “The effectiveness of aerobic exercise in the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression is significant compared with standard care.”
“The optimal prescribed training volume for the intervention includes a frequency of three to four training sessions per week at moderate intensity (35 to 45 minutes).”
Dancing was the most effective exercise. Almost 87 percent of those who exercised reported an improvement in their symptoms, followed by 73 percent of swimmers and 54 percent of people who ran, walked and cycled.
Exercise is known to have antidepressant effects and is almost always recommended for people with depression and anxiety.
However, experts believe that recommending it as first-line treatment for severe PPD undermines the severity of the disease and the need for therapy and medication.
They reached their conclusion based on several academic and scientific articles from five databases. However, the study had significant limitations.
Dr. Cirino said, “There is a lot we don’t know about the women in this study who responded to the exercise program.” I think this is one of the limitations: it is not an American study, it is a meta-analysis, it is not a new one Literature.
“And there can be many exacerbating factors that can affect improvement in depression that we don’t necessarily record or ask about, such as medications, medical problems, their socioeconomic status, etc.”
Princess Diana publicly mentioned her struggle with postpartum depression in a 1995 interview
Previous research has shown that psychotherapy and antidepressants, especially SSRIs, are more effective than physical activity alone in improving symptoms of postpartum depression.
For example, researchers from the University of Minnesota, Brown University and Teachers College of Columbia University reported in 2021: “It is possible that exercise alone is not enough to combat depression, but when combined with a wellness intervention, it can ‘ have an impact.” have depression.”
Postpartum Depression Medication Users “Have Better Behaved Children”
The analysis found that the children whose mothers received SSRIS were less likely to have behavioral problems and exhibit antisocial behavior at age five.
And psychiatrists at the Medical University of South Carolina said, “Women with mild to moderate depressive symptoms in the postpartum period should be offered psychotherapy as an initial treatment option.” Antidepressants and therapy are recommended for women with moderate to severe depression.
The authors of the current study, published in the journal PLOS One, acknowledge that the research does not provide a “conclusive decision” about “which specific exercise” women with the condition should do.
They also say that their results do not necessarily reflect what would be true for the entire population of mothers.
Furthermore, any benefits will depend greatly on the frequency and intensity of physical activity, they say.
Dr Bennett added: “We should not ignore studies on the preventive effects of exercise, the development of depression and the treatment of mild to moderate depression.”
“But I would be very skeptical of a study that says aerobics alone is enough to treat people with severe depression and suicide risk.”
When women receive enough medication for their PPD, their babies can benefit as well. Researchers at King’s College London analyzed data from more than 61,000 mothers and their children.
Of the mothers, 8,671 were diagnosed with postnatal depression and 177 of them received SSRI treatment.
The analysis found that the children whose mothers received SSRIS were less likely to have behavioral problems and exhibit antisocial behavior at age five.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression can get help by calling Postpartum Support International’s bilingual hotline: 1-800-944-4773.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
