Bringing Depression in Reproductive-Aged Women out of the Shadows

Among the 10% of pregnant and nonpregnant women who reported symptoms of a past-year major depressive episode, the disorder was undiagnosed in almost 60%.

Depression, a leading cause of disability in the U.S., often goes undiagnosed. Do prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of depression differ in pregnant and nonpregnant women? Researchers analyzed data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Of more than 77,000 women of reproductive age (range, 18–44) who participated, 9000 reported pregnancy status and whether they had experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) during the year preceding the survey (past-year MDE). Respondents also indicated whether they received diagnoses and treatment including prescription medications, counseling, or hospitalization.

Overall, 10.9% of respondents experienced past-year MDE (1.2 million women per year in 2005–2009). Prevalence was 7.7% in pregnan…

Reviewing Author

Anne A. Moore, APN, WHNP/ANP-BC, FAANP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Noven

EquityActavis plc

Speaker’s bureauMerck; Actavis plc

Editorial boardsUpdates in Clinical Medicine; Journal of Obstetic, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing