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Article: Science finds caveman past of postnatal depression
- Article from:
- Scotland on Sunday
- Article date:
- April 24, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Scotland on Sunday. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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POSTNATAL depression, which brings untold anguish to thousands of
homes every year, may be a relic from the days when humans lived in
caves, scientists have discovered.
Researchers at Edinburgh University believe hormonal imbalances
responsible for the devastating condition may have been responsible
for increasing aggression in new mothers.
Dr Simone Meddle, a lecturer in veterinary science, claims that in
prehistoric times the change in behaviour would help to prepare
mothers for protecting their young from predators.
But as human life has become safer, these strong maternal
instincts have become redundant. Instead, she says, the hormones may
be building up and causing the overwhelming ...