Postpartum Depression Management: Exploring Treatment Options for Mothers in Need of Support

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 new mothers, presenting with symptoms like persistent sadness, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with the baby, yet remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite being highly treatable through therapy, medication, and support systems.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how real patients navigate the complex journey of seeking and receiving postpartum depression care, from overcoming stigma and recognizing symptoms to finding appropriate healthcare providers and accessing treatment while managing new motherhood responsibilities.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how breaking the stigma around postpartum depression requires both healthcare providers and society to normalize open conversations about maternal mental health, while encouraging mothers to seek support without shame or judgment.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how effective screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PHQ-9, combined with comprehensive clinical assessments, are crucial for accurately identifying postpartum depression during routine prenatal and postnatal visits.