NPR (8/28, Chatterjee) reports the US Preventive Services Task Force released recommendations urging physicians to “screen pregnant women and new moms” for depression so that “they can be treated before they show symptoms and a diagnosis of depression can be averted.” The task force said that physicians “should look for these risk factors: a history of depression, current depressive symptoms (like sadness, hopelessness about the future, lack of sleep, etc.), and socioeconomic risk factors like being low income, very young or a single parent.”
MedPage Today (8/28, Monaco) reports the group found “convincing evidence” that “referring these women to counseling services, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, will have a ‘moderate net benefit’ in helping prevent perinatal depression among women who are at increased risk.”
Related Links:
— “Panel: Doctors Should Focus On Preventing Depression In Pregnant Women, New Moms, “Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, August 28, 2018.