Kevin MD: Why postpartum depression screening is more essential than ever

Kevin MD: Why postpartum depression screening is more essential than ever

OBHG clinician Dr. Dwight Hooper writes about why postpartum depression screening is more essential than ever in KevinMD. According to Dr. Hooper, 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) -dysphoria caused by the biological (primarily hormonal) changes of pregnancy, labor, parturition and the transitions between these.

Highlights from the article:

The good news is PPD is treatable; identifying women that are experiencing the symptoms associated with depression allows us to provide them with the tools and resources to feel better. Such management includes medication, counseling, or some combination of the two. However, according to the same CDC study referenced above, 20% of women are never screened for depression, and over half of those with depression are never treated.

Given the myriad of new precautions, testing, protocols, and requirements for patient treatment needed on a day to day basis, where does one start with addressing PPD? More good news: it is not nearly as onerous nor time-consuming as one might expect.

Click here to read the full article.