Domestic Violence, Postpartum Depression Linked in Black Women

According to a new study, domestic violence has been linked to postpartum depression.

Why is this important?

Because African-American women suffer abuse from their "intimate partners" more than any other group, and this violence may explain the recent case of Lashanda Armstrong, who killed both herself and her children (ages 11 months, 2 and 5) while reportedly being depressed.

Postpartum depression usually occurs during the first year of the baby's life. Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital and "Today Show" contributor adds:

"Postpartum depression can occur up to a year postpartum, so whenever you hear a story of erratic behavior, withdrawal, violence toward one's own children, it fits with [it]. Guilt is also a big feature of postpartum depression."

For women who are being abused, which includes "sexual abuse, physical abuse, or stalking to pregnancy coercion -- when a woman is forced to conceive a child against her will," the abuse often increases once they become pregnant:

"Intimate partner violence often increases during pregnancy when women are most vulnerable, according to Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, director of the perinatal psychiatry program at University of North Carolina.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 80 percent of women experience post-partum depression, but when you add domestic violence to that equation, the situation for a Mother and her child can go really wrong:

"Individually, both intimate partner violence and postpartum depression can prevent a woman from forming a strong mother-infant bond. This bond is important to the child's continued health, educational development and behavioral control. Postpartum depression, in particular, can lead to substantial neglect, or even violent acts against the infant, if depression becomes severe or the new mother displays psychotic symptoms."

For many black women, having little-to-no support from their partners in addition to few financial and community resources only exacerbates the depression they're experiencing after having a child, and with depression likely going undetected, this creates a largely precarious existence for the women involved.

"Depression and domestic violence are two conditions that are greatly under-recognized and under-treated," Cheng said. "This is unfortunate, because there is effective treatment for depression and there are many resources for women to get help with intimate partner violence."

If you or someone you know is dealing with post-partum depression and domestic abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline.