Opinion
There is a strong case to be made for postpartum depression screening
LETTER — Posted April 28, 2008
Regarding "Motherhood is daunting but should not be recast as a disease" (Letters, March 24/31): The purpose of designating postpartum depression as a disease is to distinguish this agonizing, disabling, and sometimes tragically fatal illness from the usual stresses and strains of adjusting to life with a newborn baby. Screening postpartum patients for clinical depression is clear and convenient.
Postpartum depression is treatable; treatment can save mothers, families and babies from months of misery and lifelong sequelae.
Nada Stotland, MD, Chicago
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/28/edlt0428.htm.












