Antenatal depression is a treatable condition that goes well beyond ordinary worry or a passing mood change, according to a commentary published by the Boca Raton Tribune. The piece was written by Dr. Priti M. Kothari, a board-certified psychiatrist who has practiced in South Florida since 2005.
The article lists common warning signs, including persistent sadness, loss of interest, guilt, irritability, disrupted sleep, trouble concentrating and hopelessness. Those symptoms are often mistaken for normal pregnancy changes. Untreated perinatal depression has been linked to poor birth outcomes and can make bonding with a newborn harder, although the article stresses that these links do not predict a child’s future.
Guidelines call for screening for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. The article says a screening questionnaire is not a diagnosis but the start of a confidential conversation about symptoms, safety, history and available support.
Treatment options may include psychotherapy, medication when appropriate, practical help, or a combination. Patients who take prescribed medication should not stop or change it without guidance from a clinician, and decisions about medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding should weigh benefits and risks.
The author argues that obstetric clinicians, primary care doctors, mental health specialists and pediatricians all have a role, and that pediatric visits give families a chance to spot parental distress and connect them with services. Anyone having thoughts of suicide, self-harm or harm to a baby should seek urgent help. In an emergency, people should call local emergency services.
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