Post-Partum Depression

Once again, the Toronto Star and the Hamilton Spectator are using American research and stats to back up their supporters in the pharmaceutical and health industries.

In an article that appears in the T-Star, the Spec notes the following:

"... These findings suggest that it is important to provide vigorous treatment to mothers if they are depressed ," the study authors write.

But depressed mothers often don't seek treatment, the report says. Many are low-income and don't use the community care available, even if it is free.

"Without outreach, child care, transportation and flexible schedules, these women are not likely to receive appropriate treatment for their depression," it says.


It says that mothers suffering from post partum depression don't seek treatment. Well that's because it's the United States and they probably don't have the money to pay to get help for their PPD. It also now blames, in classic American style, poor women for creating the problem of more depressed children by not going to "free clinics".

If the T-Star and the Spec did some homework I'm sure they would find that this isn't the case in Canada or Ontario.

And another thing, who is that study funded by? A pharmaceutical company? What are the chances of that "free clinic" in the United States isn't going to send that woman for clinical drug trials in order to get her "free medical care"? This is the U.S we're talkin' here.

Also notice in this article that the author does not mention that using SSRI's could increase the risk of suicidal ideation or other behaviour and that all patients should check for Health Canada warnings on any drugs they prescribe because their physicians are least likely to bring this to their patient's attention.

With this very important information missing, it tells me that the research was funded by a pharmaceutical company that is or will be, marketing drugs for post-partum depression.

Always discuss adverse drug reactions with your physician and if there is any reaction your body that isn't normal, even decreased sleep, don't let the physician tell you "it's part of your depression" if you know that you have never had interupted sleep in the past or it was a blip.

Never let a physician tell you what you experience. Responsible doctors practicing good medicine will listen to their patients now matter what illness they have. It is often the case of depression that physicians will ignore the concerns of patients when they would otherwise listen to them if that patient had reactions to any other drug that was not an drug treating a "mental illness".

Physicians often attribute adverse drug reactions to their patient's symptoms when in many cases, those symptoms were never a part of their experience. Health Canada is very clear about listening to a patient's complaints about adverse reactions to drugs.

Now, if anyone has a hard copy of the Spec, around that article you should see an add for clinical drug trials for depression being launched by St. Joseph's hospital or McMaster. When the Spec puts in an article like this without citing warnings about adverse affects from Health Canada, there is usually one of these ads.

It's not surprising that the research boards in the City would have bitched at them if they did anything otherwise, after all, they are still trying to make up for that investigative report published last year on McMaster's cosy relationship with big pharma and the money they get from them.