U.S. Task Force released new recommendations, urging all pregnant women to be preemptively screened for depression.

‘U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends depression screening for women during and after pregnancy to avoid postpartum depression.’

Pregnant women are more prone to PPD with 8-19% experiencing it in the country. The risk factors include anxiety, stress, poor self-esteem, decreased social support, and unintended pregnancy.




The panel recommends depression screening also for taking up other available treatment options such as psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
It also warned against the use of over-the-counter drugs for depression as it could be detrimental. Maternal mental illness can affect children, leading to behavioral problems, emotional instability and difficulty in school.
Source-Medindia