The incident in Germany could be as simple as a lack of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and vitamin D3. When a woman is pregnant her body is stripped of these nutrients by the fetus. If these nutrients are not replaced the result can be severe postpartum depression with attendant psychosis.

Psychotic episodes are quite often associated with religious delusions, but in this case, the fact that she is a Muslim is almost as immaterial as where a woman drowns her children in a bathtub in Texas and is Christian. However, with the German woman, draping oneself in a burka would definitely limit ones natural exposure to sunshine and could even provide a further depression of vitamin D3 levels.

Post partum depression in women is a relatively uncommon occurence in countries such as Japan where seafood plays a large part in the diet, but it is fairly common in western civilizations.

There was an excellent programme on recent research regarding the connections between depression, pregnancy, vitamin D3 and the omega fattly acids on the CBC awhile back.

There is a reason that fish has always been regarded as brain food and a little bit of sun bathing without sunscreen is definitely good for you. So go fishing for fatty fish and take your hat off on occasion while you do.