ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Postpartum depression affects about one in eight women in the U.S. within the first year after giving birth. The condition can be debilitating and overwhelming for new moms. Now, new approaches are showing promise when it comes to diagnosing and treating post partum depression.
Postpartum depression isn’t just the “baby blues.” It’s a serious mental illness that leaves new moms extremely sad, exhausted, and sometimes hopeless.
“They’re not stimulating the baby as much, and that can have effects on IQ and language development,” said Jennifer Payne, MD, psychiatrist at University of Virginia Health.
And it can be dangerous for moms!
“Every now and then we have a terrible tragedy where mom did not get identified as being depressed, and she becomes so ill that she takes her own life and/or her baby’s,” explained Dr. Payne.
Research shows mental health problems account for about 23% of maternal deaths in the country. Now researchers are studying new ways to spot women at risk for postpartum depression.
“Then we can intervene immediately during the postpartum time period,” said Dr. Payne.
Dr. Payne and her colleagues found that postpartum depression was more common in women younger than 25, first-time moms, and those who give birth to twins. She says simple screening tests can spot the signs of depression so women can get treated quickly.
“We have a new class of medications that are specifically targeting postpartum depression,” Dr. Payne explained.
Brexanolone was the first medicine approved to specifically treat postpartum depression. It’s an infusion over two and a half days to help rebalance the brain’s calming hormones. In 2023, the FDA approved Zuranolone, which comes as a capsule. Studies show it significantly improves postpartum depression symptoms in more than half of women who take it. And it works quickly, often within days.
Zuranolone costs nearly $16,000 for a standard, two-week treatment. Some, but not all, insurance companies cover the cost.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/depression/index.html
https://www.uvahealth.com/news/new-study-identifies-moms-highest-risk-postpartum-depression/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty-areas/moods/brexanolone
* For More Information, Contact: Jennifer Payne, MD
Psychiatrist at University of Virginia Health
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