POST NATAL DEPRESSION
Welcoming a new life into the world is a joyous occasion, but for some women, this period can be accompanied by the shadows of depression. Approximately 15–20 per cent of women in both Australia and New Zealand are affected by perinatal depression or anxiety.
What is Perinatal depression?
Postnatal or postpartum depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue that persist beyond the typical "baby blues" experienced by many new mothers. Perinatal depression encompasses the broader period, occurring during pregnancy and extending into the postnatal phase. These conditions not only impact the mother's well-being but can also influence the quality of maternal-infant bonding and the overall family dynamic.
What is Bright Light Therapy?
Bright light therapy has been studied for treating seasonal affective disorder – a depression that hits during the long, dark winter months. It has also been shown to be effective for other forms of depression and other conditions related to disturbed sleep, such as jet-lag or shift work. Because of this success, it has begun to be studied in pregnant and postnatal women.
Why Bright Light Therapy?
Bright light therapy has been studied for treating seasonal affective disorder – a depression that hits during the long, dark winter months. It has also been shown to be effective for other forms of depression and other conditions related to disturbed sleep, such as jet-lag or shift work. Because of this success, it has begun to be studied in pregnant and postnatal women.
How does Bright Light Therapy work?
Several theories explain why pregnant and postnatal women might respond well to bright light therapy.
Firstly, many mums spend most of their time indoors, decreasing their exposure to daylight. This can be due to bedrest, fatigue, sleep deprivation, or the difficulty of getting outside with a newborn. This can change a woman’s circadian rhythm and the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for our sleep-wake cycle.
Secondly, bright light affects a woman’s estrogen and serotonin levels. Serotonin is known to regulate mood and anxiety, and is the target of many antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. Estrogen can fluctuate throughout pregnancy and post pregnancy but there is some evidence that bright light stimulates estrogen production.
Finally, sleep disturbance is a significant part of pregnancy and post birth. Sleep deprivation causes changes in our circadian rhythms. Bright light therapy has been shown to be helpful in conditions such as dementia and jet lag where lack of sleep is an issue.
The Benefits
The benefit of light therapy is it can be done in the privacy of the home on a time schedule that suits both mother and baby with little or no significant side effects. Sitting in front of a HAPPŸLAMP at 10,000 lux for 30-60 minutes early in the morning will usually improve signs of depression, sometimes within a few days. New mothers often struggle to get any time alone which is why HAPPŸLAMPS are portable and can be moved from room to room (requires power)
Disclaimer
It's essential to emphasise that bright light therapy is not a standalone treatment for peri and post-natal depression. A comprehensive treatment plan including psychotherapy, support groups, and possibly medication is recommended as is consulting with your GP to determine the most suitable approach based on individual circumstances.
