title: When the bough breaks: rethinking treatment strategies for perinatal depression.
abstract: Awareness of depression among OB-GYN physicians has increased with the result that more than 13% of pregnant women in the United States receive prescriptions for antidepressant medications. But the safety and effectiveness of these compounds has been exaggerated while the effectiveness of psychotherapy has been overlooked and distorted and various medical guidelines for treatment of perinatal depression have been downplayed or ignored. This article addresses the common fears and misconceptions surrounding treatment of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth. The effectiveness of strategic cognitive-behavioral therapy enhanced with hypnosis offers excellent results without the risks associated with these medications. Targets for focused intervention are identified and discussed.
authors.affiliation: DrSara@DrSara.com
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Rosenquist
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents