Behavioral therapy for insomnia may lower risk of postpartum depression: study

Good sleep is indispensable for everyone’s mental well-being. While getting good sleep during pregnancy is arduous, recent research has shown that behavioral therapy for insomnia can not only solve sleep problems but even reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is sanity a condition that affects approximately 10% of women after giving birth. Symptoms include severe mood changes, constant tiredness, difficulty sleeping at night with daytime sleepiness, difficulty caring for yourself or your child, social withdrawal, trouble concentrating and making decisions, and distressing thoughts such as fear of getting hurt child.

Patients are advised to get sleep, rest and exercise, and apply therapy or medication to relieve symptoms, depending on the severity of symptoms.

According to the latest test published in the Journal Of Affective Disorders, the apply of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) may serve as a protective factor against postpartum depression.

“Early intervention is crucial for the mental health of infants and parents. Our research examines how addressing sleep problems like insomnia can lead to better mental health outcomes for families, helping parents and their children thrive,” said Dr. Elizabeth Keys, co-author of the study, in press release.

Treatment begins by identifying the patient’s thoughts, behaviors, and sleep patterns that contribute to insomnia. Misconceptions or sleep-disrupting habits are then challenged and transformed to improve sleep quality.

“CBTi is the gold standard for treating insomnia and has consistently been shown to improve symptoms of depression. Its therapeutic effects are similar to those of antidepressants used in adults, but are associated with fewer side effects and are therefore often preferred by pregnant women,” he says. Dr. Keys.

In the study, researchers examined 62 women with insomnia who underwent a five-week CBT-I intervention specifically tailored to the needs of pregnancy. Participants’ insomnia and depression symptoms were examined before the intervention, immediately after, and again six months after giving birth.

The results showed that six months after giving birth, there was a significant improvement in participants’ sleep and a reduction in depressive symptoms.

“These are extremely encouraging results for every person who had problems in the first weeks and months of life with a newborn. Our study provides growing evidence that treating insomnia during pregnancy has mixed results. It’s time to consider how we can improve this treatment. available to pregnant women across the country to improve sleep equity,” Dr. Keys added.