EFFICACY OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SITUATION ANALYSIS

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a major public health issue worldwide. It varies in prevalence across countries. Pakistan remains highest to have the prevalence of postpartum depression among South Asian countries. A number of complementary and alternative medicines can help in decreasing depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. The purpose of this article is to subject review the use of complementary and alternative medicine as a treatment for postpartum depression. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted from articles using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE published since the last ten years. The findings of this review suggest that various complementary and alternative therapies may help in the treatment of postpartum depression. This literature review demonstrated the significant effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of postpartum depression. As conclusion, the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression are essential for maternal as well as new-born health. Complementary and alternative medicine has less side effects than antidepressants which can affect maternal and newborn health adversely.