Pregnant women with epilepsy have worse anxiety and depression symptoms – study

A new study finds that women with epilepsy experience more anxiety and depression symptoms during and after pregnancy than other women.

The study, published in Neurology, tracked more than 300 women with epilepsy during and after their pregnancies.

Conducted at 20 epilepsy centres, the research collected data from 102 healthy pregnant women and 102 non-pregnant women with epilepsy. 

Participants completed questionnaires assessing their symptoms of depression and anxiety six times, once every three months during pregnancy and the first nine postpartum months. 

Those with high scores on depression questionnaires were assessed for a current major depressive episode using a more detailed, structured interview.

Women reported their age, education level, marital status, household income, whether their pregnancy was planned and whether they were using antidepressant medication.

Pregnant women with epilepsy had worse postpartum depression symptoms than healthy pregnant women.

Kimford Meador, professor of neurology at the Stanford School of Medicine, said: “We found that women with epilepsy have increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy.

“This makes it more important to monitor their well-being while they are pregnant.”

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. 

It is a common problem that affect more than one in 10 women within a year of giving birth.

Depression in pregnancy is also common as it affects more than one in 10 women. Other mental health symptoms can occur during or after the pregnancy including anxiety, panic attacks and psychosis. 

The timing of postpartum depression varies. Postpartum depression often starts within one or two months of giving birth. It can start several months after having a baby. About a third of women with postpartum depression have symptoms which started in pregnancy and continued after birth.

If you think you or someone close to you is experiencing postpartum depression, contact your GP as soon as possible.