What Is Perinatal Depression?
description
Transcript of What Is Perinatal Depression?
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Breakfast Forum on Perinatal Depression
October 26, 2004Concourse Hotel, Madison, WI
Ann Conway, RN, MS, MPAExecutive Director, Perinatal Foundation
Cara Hansen, Director of Community OutreachMental Health Association in Milwaukee Co.
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
What Is Perinatal Depression?
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Signs and Symptoms• Depressed mood• Tearfulness• Sleep or appetite
disturbances• Weight gain or loss• Hopelessness• Loss of interest &
pleasure• Feelings of being
overwhelmed
• Guilt• Anxiety or
nervousness• Irritability• Low energy• Loss of
concentration• Thoughts of harming
self or infant
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Incidence of Perinatal Depression
• 10% - 15% of women experience depression in the perinatal period and up to 28% of women living in poverty.
• There were 68,510 births in Wisconsin in 2002. That means that (10 –15%) over 6,800 to 10,000 women were likely to suffer from prenatal and postpartum depression.
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Depression affects how a woman is able to relate to:
• her baby• her family• her friends, and• her co-workers
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
“You Can’t Tell by Looking” that someone has depression.
• Approximately 50% of women with PPD are untreated.
• Those caring for women & children from pregnancy through the first year of life should be alert to the symptoms of perinatal mood disorders.
• Routine screening by primary care providers is essential.
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Depression is treatable
• Depression may not resolve without treatment.
• When treated, women do recover and return to their roles and responsibilities at home and at work.
• Studies show that employees who have been diagnosed with depression and treated have no significant differences in their performance than those without depression.
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Treatment Options for PPD - 1
Non-clinical interventions “Simple Things You Can Do”• Exercise• Diet• Rest• Rethinking expectations• Social support• Family support
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Treatment Options for PPD - 2
Clinical Therapies
Decision between the woman and her physician after a risk/benefit analysis of her situations
• Medications
• Psychotherapy
(interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral)
• Combination
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Consequences of Untreated Depression
• Woman may not seek prenatal care or follow through on health care recommendations
• May be less responsive to infant, resulting in delayed development
• May lead to stress in relationships• Increased risk for future episodes of
depression• Increased risk of self injury/suicide• Difficulty or failure in job performance
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
How does Depression Manifest in the Workplace?
• Decreased productivity
• Lack of cooperation• Excessive fatigue• Unexplained aches
and pains• Safety/Accidents
• Trouble completing projects or focusing on work
• Tardiness• Absenteeism• Alcohol/Drug use• Low morale
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Why Is Depression a Business Issue?
• 200 million lost workdays per year• Costs billions of dollars annually• Rising healthcare costs• Affects people on prime working years
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Business Issue - 2• 1/3 of costs for treatment, 2/3 of costs
related to absenteeism and lost productivity• Cost of untreated vs. treated• 8 of 10 HR professionals reported that
depression/anxiety has been a problem with their employees for at least 3 years
• Two of America’s most costly illnesses – similar to the cost of heart disease.
• Medical, legal, insurance & worker’s comp
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Employee Attitudes
• Most don’t seek treatment• Concerned with confidentiality• Fear that seeking treatment will affect job• Unsure of health coverage• Embarrassed or reluctant to talk• Myths – Personal weakness, “tough it out”• Stigma
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Impact on People
• All levels of the corporate ladder• Depression or anxiety can affect anyone• Career path• Lifetime earnings• Impact on family, co-workers
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
What Can Employers Do?
• Gain senior management support• Educate managers• Educate employees• Provide resources (specify)• Communicate available EAP or other services• Get input from employees (about?)• Develop a network of partners
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
What Can Employers Do? - 2
• Encourage mental health screening• Add educational pieces to existing meetings• Encourage treatment• Encourage healthy lifestyles• Respond to changes and crises• Review medical and employee benefit plans• Review relevant company policies
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
What Can Employers Do? - 3
• Ensure understanding of state/federal law
• Ensure fairness and consistency• Value and respect diversity• Provide appropriate work/life balance• Commit to creating a culture which
supports overall health and well being
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Payoffs
• Healthcare cost containment
• Fewer days lost to absenteeism
• Improved morale and productivity
• Avoid or minimize most illnesses
• Reduced turnover
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Summary
• Motherhood is not magical for women with postpartum depression
• PPD is common and treatable
• People recover from depression with the support of their care providers, family, and employers
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Summary – 2
• Early identification and treatment saves employers money and prevents needless suffering.
• Employers can be partners in supporting mental health.
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
Contact Information
Ann Conway, RN, MS, MPA
Executive Director
Perinatal Foundation, Inc.
McConnell Hall
1010 Mound St.
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 267-6200 - phone
(608) 267-6089 - fax
www.perinatalweb.org
Cara Hansen
Dir. of Community Outreach
Mental Health Association in Milwaukee Co.
734 N. 4th St., Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 276-3122 – phone
(414) 276-3124 – fax
www.mhamilw.org