Post-operative anxiety, depression and psychiatric support in patients undergoing hysterectomy: A cross sectional survey.

Hysterectomy is a frequently performed gynaecological procedure in Pakistan. This surgical procedure is a very stressful event for Pakistani women suffering from severe gynecological diseases and complications. It is also associated with a high incidence of anxiety and depression. Several studies in the West have reported an improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hysterectomy. But this situation might be different in low resource countries like Pakistan where it is usually associated with myths, life threatening complications and obstetric abnormalities. Psychiatric support for these women is almost non-existent in general surgical settings.