U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 23, 2026) a deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” with the proposal including opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though the agreement was “subject to finalisation.” “An Agreement has been largely negotiated
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials. The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late on Saturday (May 23, 2026) that, according to a preliminary investigation
Pakistani woman says corporate culture makes employees feel guilty for taking leave: ‘Rest needs justification’A Pakistani woman said corporate jobs made employees feel guilty for taking paid leaves they were allowed to use. Published on: May 24
This crunchy veggie rice paper pancake is the perfect quick-fix snack for sudden hunger cravings at home: Full recipeFrom crispy edges to flavour-packed bites, try this veggie rice paper pancake recipe for an ultimate comfort snack for lazy evenings. Updated on: May 24
Amazon techie earning ₹11 lakh/month has 1 house in US, 4 properties in India, Range Rover — but no emergency fundAn Amazon employee earning close to $300,000 feels financially insecure despite significant savings and investments. Published on: May 24
From post-partum depression to relationship woes: Importance of mental health after giving birth
Montreal
Montreal, “Post-partum depression” has been discussed as an identifiable, measurable, treatable disorder for 50 years now. Thresholds, scales, prevalence rates: everything seems clear, even reassuring.
But this binary model — it's either depression or not depression — obscures a more subtle reality: new parenthood is disruptive, makes us vulnerable and places us all on a spectrum of distress.
The notion of post-partum depression was established in 1968, primarily because it responded to dual academic and medical requirements: to lend scientific legitimacy to the suffering of new mothers and to provide a clear and specific diagnostic framework for a particular period of life.
At the time, emphasis was placed on the atypical nature of this depression, which resembled an anxiety disorder. Its specificity was considered to be solely related to its symptoms, and the challenge lay more in its detection than in its management.
Minimising lived experiences
-
Furthermore, this specific characterisation made it possible to distinguish post-natal depression from the “baby blues” that occur in the form of brief depressive episodes linked to biological factors, particularly post-partum hormonal changes.
Since then, the debate has been confined to psychiatric classifications and screening tools. But that's reduced a lived experience to a simple diagnostic category.
In a recent article published in the journal Neuropsychiatrie de l'enfance et de l'adolescence, we proposed, together with child psychiatrist Romain Dugravier, talking about perinatal relational distress rather than post-partum depression.
Far from being unanimously accepted within the scientific community, our approach, which questions diagnoses and labels, attempts to view adjustments to parenthood beyond the sole prism of individual disorders.
A crisis of maturity
Becoming a parent means meeting the needs of a totally dependent child while reorganising your emotional, marital and social life.
For many, this experience is deeply formative. For others, it reawakens old wounds: emotional deprivation, loneliness or experiences of rejection. The arrival of a baby in that case can become disruptive by reawakening buried vulnerabilities.
Take the case of a woman who has her first child. More than fatigue, she is overwhelmed by the feeling of being trapped: someone who has always defined herself as independent and “not dependent on anyone” is suddenly confronted with an infant who is totally dependent on her.
This confrontation can reactivate the patterns of a childhood marked by the need to fend for herself. A diagnosis of post-partum depression does not address this history or the tension between dependence and independence.
Antidepressant treatment, which in our experience is sometimes prescribed following this diagnosis, will not address the cause of this distress, either. This is in contrast to a space where vulnerability is recognised and where the relationship with the child can be supported.
This leads to a loss of meaning: we diagnose “depression” when what we really need to understand are the interactions and upheavals inherent in the new parent-child relationship.
The scales used — such as the widely used Edinburgh scale , a 10-item questionnaire designed to screen for depressive symptoms after birth — focus on the mother's mood, neglecting the quality of the parent-child bond, social support or identity changes.
The result is that symptoms are assessed, but loneliness, family loyalty conflicts or difficulties in investing in the relationship with the baby are overlooked. Having “psychiatrized” the relationship, it is also difficult to treat it beyond medicating.
Dependence, independence
-
Our article offers another interpretation, this one inspired by attachment theory: the tension between the baby's dependence and the parent's independence.
Parental independence is not always synonymous with autonomy. It can be a survival strategy learned in childhood, when relying on others proved too risky.
However, becoming a parent brutally confronts one with the absolute dependence of a newborn: one must be there, all the time, unconditionally. For those who have learned never to owe anyone anything, this experience can be disorienting.
This relational interpretation helps us understand why perinatal distress cannot be divided into two groups — depressed or not — but forms a gradient: from normal fatigue to severe anxiety and depression, including loneliness, loss of confidence and feelings of parental incompetence.
Containment and continuity
-
Unlike a categorical approach, which can be restrictive, attachment theory opens up new perspectives. It is based on two essential principles: containment and continuity.
1. Containment: First and foremost, offering parents a space where their emotions are welcomed, without judgment, to help them make sense of what they are experiencing. Interventions such as parent-child interaction therapy or relational intervention with video feedback show that confidence and security can be restored by valuing existing parenting skills — rather than by correcting supposed deficiencies.
2. Continuity: Too often, parents are passed from one professional to another, having to repeat their story and experiencing breaks in continuity of care.
But dealing with issues continuously over time , in terms of location and in terms of language , is important.
Ensuring a chain of relational security means avoiding assistance that is limited to isolated, one-off interventions with no common thread.
Rethinking the organisation of care
-
Our criticism is not only aimed at concepts, but also at the consistency of the various interventions with families.
Perinatal care remains fragmented: between adult mental health, child psychiatry and social services, each speaks its own language and follows its own priorities, sometimes leaving parents alone to piece things together on their own.
We advocate for a relationship-centred approach to health care: training teams in attachment theory, creating accessible post-natal spaces and providing key figures to support families through transitions. Because if “there is no such thing as a baby” on its own, there should be no such thing as isolated parents, either.
Human-centred vision
-
Replacing post-partum depression with perinatal relational distress is not just a question of vocabulary.
It means refusing to limit ourselves to an approach that classifies disorders into diagnostic categories according to fixed criteria, to the detriment of a psychopathological consideration that views parenthood as a universal, relational and evolving human experience.
This is not about denying suffering or dismissing treatment when it is necessary. It's a reminder that perinatal mental health cannot be limited simply to screening, prescribing and referring. It must also contain, connect and accompany.
In short, it's time to move from a logic centred on individual disorders to an approach that treats the parent-child bond, not just the symptoms. Prevention and care must be organised around families, not around diagnostic categories. SKS SKS
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: CF Montreal top NYCFC to notch first home win of season Katy Perry Enjoys Dinner Date With Justin Trudeau In Montreal After Break-Up Tauson upsets 2nd-seeded Wimbledon champion Swiatek to reach Montreal quarterfinals Canadian Teenager Knocks Gauff Out Of Montreal In Straight-Sets Shocker Carney and Trump discussed Keystone XL pipeline revival Putin, Trump discussed security guarantees for Ukraine Jaishankar Meets Marco Rubio In Malaysia — What They Discussed No new investments discussed with TN More rain falls in Taiwan after tropical depression causes flooding Cyclone Ditwah weakens into deep depression
With big-budget spectacles and larger-than-life action becoming the norm, one upcoming Hindi film is now aiming for something Indian cinema has rarely explored in a full-fledged way… alien horror. Actor Akshay Kumar is set to headline Samuk, a sci-fi thriller centred around extraterrestrial
3 hours ago
Kara OTT release: Dhanush's ₹50 crore heist film gets digital release in less than a month; when and where to watchKara OTT release: Vignesh Raja's Tamil film starring Dhanush and Mamitha Baiju was released in theatres on April 30. Know when and where to stream it online. May 24, 2026
3 hours ago
The Supreme Court on Saturday registered a suo motu case in connection with the death of a woman in Madhya Pradesh, whose family has alleged that her in-laws harassed her for dowry, reported The Hindu. Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi will hear the case on
3 hours ago
Rare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortageRare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortage Published on: May 24, 2026 10:33 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, A year ago, every breath felt borrowed
3 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.These countertop organisers, crockery pick and jars can give your kitchen a Pinteresty spin by keeping the clutter awayTurn your kitchen into a photo-ready space with stylish organisers
3 hours ago
Indian athletics witnessed a historic evening in Ranchi as Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian ever to breach the 8000-point barrier in decathlon at the Federation Cup on Saturday. The 27-year-old produced a sensational all-round performance to finish with 8057 points
3 hours ago
The Centre released draft rules for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 for public consultation. The rules focus on governance, grievance redressal, and transitioning from MGNREGA to the new rural employment scheme
3 hours ago
The National Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned of a sophisticated phishing campaign impersonating Apple tech support to target whose devices have been lost or stolen, officials said on Saturday.The I4C, which functions under the Union Home Ministry
3 hours ago
Sachin Tendulkar praised his son Arjun's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Arjun Tendulkar showed patience and skill in his first match. He bowled well and took a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar expressed pride in his son's performance and attitude
3 hours ago
White House shooting suspect claimed to be ‘real’ Osama bin Laden, threatened Trump online: ReportOsama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the terror group Al-Qaeda, which was reportedly responsible the 9/11 attacks. Updated on: May 24, 2026 11:02 AM IST By Anita Goswami Share via Copy
3 hours ago
May 24, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 24, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 24, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 24
3 hours ago
George Russell may have delivered the perfect answer to mounting pressure at Mercedes. After a fiery sprint race clash with championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli earlier on Saturday, the Briton bounced back in style to grab pole position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix — edging the
3 hours ago
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading significantly in the Falta assembly constituency repoll. After five rounds of counting, Panda has secured a lead of over 14,000 votes against his CPI(M) rival. The repoll followed allegations of EVM tampering and irregularities during the initial polling
3 hours ago
The suspect in a shooting near the White House was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed. BBC's US media partner CBS has named the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented
3 hours ago
CPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks interventionCPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks intervention Published on: May 23, 2026 5:22 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, The Rajya Sabha leader of the CPI, John Brittas
3 hours ago
Imagine enjoying a decadent, fudge‑like treat that also supports your hormones, libido, and menstrual rhythm, all while being packed with collagen, magnesium, adaptogens, and lignan‑rich omega‑3s. These Seed Cycling Hormone Bliss Balls are designed around the simple yet powerful practice of
3 hours ago
Weekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: The stars brings positive energies for these zodiac signsWeekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: This week asks for patience, trust, and emotional resilience. Published on: May 24, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love feels
6 hours ago
From a darkly comic tale of revenge to a beautiful contemplation on friendship, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far. "Daring, deranged, cleverly written," is how Vogue describes the buzzy debut by Caro Claire Burke. In this satirical thriller
6 hours ago
Overnight fires in Delhi: Shops, homes gutted in four blazesA fire department officer was injured after the tin shed of one of the shops he was standing on during the firefighting operation collapsed. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:37 AM IST By Karn Pratap Singh Share via Copy link Four separate fire
6 hours ago
As per the government, the new rules enable families living in Delhi to submit applications if their annual household income is within the newly prescribed limit. New Delhi: The Delhi government has reopened the process of issuing fresh ration cards under changed eligibility criteria after a gap of
6 hours ago
The reported disruption of AI-animated film Critterz after OpenAI allegedly shut down Sora has sparked a larger conversation around one major issue in tech and entertainment: what happens when creators build entire projects on platforms they do not control?The reported disruption of AI-animated
6 hours ago
Ex-Meta employee says non-Chinese workers were targeted for layoffsA laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:01 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged
6 hours ago
Mackenzie Shirilla wanted Kim Kardashian's help; here's why it's not happeningMackenzie Shirilla sought Kim Kardashian's legal support following the release of The Crash documentary, but Kardashian reportedly has no plans to get involved. May 24, 2026
6 hours ago
X warns founder against reuploading White House shooting video: 'Revenue reduced by 90%'Nikita Bier of X warned a user against reuploading the White House shooting video, asking him to ‘Quote’ or ‘Video Reshare’ instead. Updated on: May 24, 2026 6:14 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
6 hours ago
Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta PartySonam Wangchuk hoped constitutional safeguards will be granted to Ladakh after recent talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre. Updated on: May 24
6 hours ago
Talking about international partnerships, PM Modi said India’s growing ties with global companies and countries would create new opportunities for young people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates during the 19th Rozgar Mela
6 hours ago
Dipika Kakar’s father-in-law in ICU after suffering stroke, Shoaib Ibrahim seeks prayers: ‘24 hrs are crucial’Shoaib Ibrahim took to Instagram to inform fans that his father has been hospitalised once again after suffering another stroke. May 24, 2026
6 hours ago
