Monoamine Oxidase-A Causes Postpartum Depression Symptoms

By all accounts postpartum depression symptoms are easily recognizable:

• You struggle to keep the house in order

• Your crying child is such a burden you can’t even find the time for a shower

• You are constantly sad and wondering if you are losing your mind

• You are feeling guilty because you don’t have that warm glow when holding your baby

• You are irritable towards everyone

• You feel ashamed because you are supposed to be ecstatic with the new baby’s arrival


About 70% of new mothers experience the so-called postpartum blues for a few days. But a significant number of new moms experience postpartum depression for a much longer period. Sometimes this condition can last for many months.

Is it caused by a natural chemical?

Dr. Meyer, a psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders, says that estrogen levels can drop significantly after a woman gives birth. And when estrogen levels drop, there is a dramatic increase in the levels of Monoamine Oxidase A.

And this chemical degrades dopamine and serotonin - the chemicals associated with mood-balancing.

So, if the brain chemicals that make us feel good are being depleted during pregnancy, it follows that you are more vulnerable towards getting post partum depression or postpartum blues.

Dr. Meyer, who conducted the study, found that the MAO protein was 43% elevated compared to the control group (non-postpartum women, obviously).

"Elevated MAO-A levels in the early postpartum period can be interpreted as a marker of a monoamine-lowering process that contributes to the mood change of postpartum blues," Dr. Meyer and his associates write.


So postpartum depression symptoms are not “all in your head” as some inconsiderate people might be suggesting to you.

Dr. Meyer is now planning to do another, much larger, study to see if natural dietary supplements will prevent the increase of the MAO protein.

This, hopefully, will help pregnant women to prepare for those postpartum blues which affect so many.

Can adoptive parents experience postpartum depression symptoms?

It’s something that most people don’t think about. Adoptive parents are expected to be overjoyed at finding a child, probably after a long search.

They are also vulnerable to depression due to a bombardment of emotions: insecurity, inadequacy and confusion can adversely affect their moods.

But here’s the point: they feel obligated to project an image of joyful thankfulness, all the time.

Remarks like “you have done a wonderful thing, saving a child,” can make these feelings a lot worse. And then, if they complain, they get, “you should just be grateful.” Postpartum depression symptoms can easily be experienced when one or more of these factors come together.

Other complications such as physical differences between the child and the adoptive parents can invite some unwanted remarks and attention, particularly from strangers.

It becomes even more complicated as, in most cases, all adoptive services end once an adoption is finalized.

However, there a few sites which cater to this issue:
attach.org
adoptivefamilies.com

Yes, some alternative treatments are available that are worth investigating.