Postnatal depression: a family medicine perspective.
- Author:
Sandy Julianty UMBOH
1
;
Choon How HOW
;
Helen CHEN
Author Information
1. Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899. Sandy.Julianty.Umboh@kkh.com.sg.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Depression, Postpartum;
diagnosis;
epidemiology;
psychology;
Family Practice;
Female;
Global Health;
Humans;
Incidence;
Mothers;
psychology;
Physician's Role;
Prevalence;
Psychometrics;
methods
- From:Singapore medical journal
2013;54(9):477-471
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) was reported to be 6.8% in an obstetric setting in Singapore. Since primary care physicians are the healthcare clinicians most likely to interact with postnatal mothers in Singapore, they are in the best position to screen for PND and help new mothers. PND affects the well-being of the mother, her baby and those around her. If left untreated, depression can result in lasting adverse outcomes such as unfavourable parenting practices, impaired mother-infant bonding, impaired intellectual and emotional development of the infant, maternal suicide, and even infanticide. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 are effective screening tools that can be easily used in primary care settings for screening at-risk mothers. Herein, we discuss the management options available in primary care settings, as well as share some local resources available to mothers and the benefits of timely intervention.
