Pregnant women and new mothers need to be more routinely screened for depression, according to recommendationsmade last week by a government panel.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said, in fact, all adults over 18 should be screened for depression, but it made a special point of singling out women who and pregnant and those with newborns.
Ellen Poleshuck, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, co-authored a 2014 study looking at depression in this part of the population.
She said left untreated, depression during and shortly after pregnancy can present short and long-term consequences for both the mother and her child.
Click the LISTEN link to hear Poleshuck explain who is most at risk and what treatment options are recommended.
