title: Psychological treatments for perinatal depression.
abstract: Perinatal depression is prevalent and greatly affects the mother and infant. Fortunately, empirically validated psychological treatments are available for postpartum depression and depression during pregnancy. Primary among these are interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, which have been shown to be effective for perinatal women across the spectrum from mild to severe depression. At present, interpersonal psychotherapy is better validated than antidepressant medication for perinatal depression, and should be considered as a first-line treatment option, especially for pregnant and breast-feeding women who are depressed. More studies are needed to evaluate further the relative efficacy of psychotherapy and medication, and more thoroughly test other psychological treatments.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Department of Psychiatry, Women's Wellness and Counseling Service, 1-293 Medical Education Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: scott-stuart@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Department of Psychiatry, Women's Wellness and Counseling Service, USA.
authors.forename: Hristina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koleva
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief
keywords: cognitive–behavioral psychotherapy; interpersonal psychotherapy; perinatal depression