Do You Have Any Thoughts On Post Partum Depression?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

Hi.  A friend of mine is extremely depressed after having a baby - she had a breakdown two years ago and this time she is much worse - her doctors want her to have electric shock treatment.  Can you give me some thoughts on this treatment?

Thanks.

ANSWER:

Many cases of post partum depression are caused by low thyroid - even if they have a normal TSH.

Post partum depression can worsen other underlying diagnoses, particularly the borderline personality disorder (BPD).  If the BPD is present a week on Prozac followed by Tegretol can have miraculous results.  My screening test may be of assistance at http://www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com/screen.htm.  The BPD section has lots of information in it.