Treating Depressed Moms Helps Kids’ Depression
Study Shows Treatment of Mothers Is Linked to Improvement in Kids’ Depression Symptoms
About 12% of women experience depression in a given year, with about twice as many low-income women reporting symptoms of depression.
In one study of mothers whose children were enrolled in Head Start programs, more than half (52%) reported depressive symptoms. Another study, which screened young mothers at selected community pediatric health centers for depression, found a depression rate of 40%.
Adolescent and child psychiatrist R. Scott Benson, MD, says the newly published findings illustrate the importance of sticking with treatment and trying different approaches when initial depression treatments fail.
“Parents who are depressed need to keep trying to find a treatment that works for them for their own sake and the sake of their children,” he tells WebMD.
Benson, who practices in Pensacola, Fla., says if a treatment is not working in about six weeks, it is time to try something else -- either a different drug or drug combination, behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.
“Most people can find a treatment that works for them, and they don’t have to suffer for years,” he says.
Treating Depressed Moms Helps Kids’ Depression
Study Shows Treatment of Mothers Is Linked to Improvement in Kids’ Depression Symptoms
Trying New Depression Treatments
About 12% of women experience depression in a given year, with about twice as many low-income women reporting symptoms of depression.
In one study of mothers whose children were enrolled in Head Start programs, more than half (52%) reported depressive symptoms. Another study, which screened young mothers at selected community pediatric health centers for depression, found a depression rate of 40%.
Adolescent and child psychiatrist R. Scott Benson, MD, says the newly published findings illustrate the importance of sticking with treatment and trying different approaches when initial depression treatments fail.
“Parents who are depressed need to keep trying to find a treatment that works for them for their own sake and the sake of their children,” he tells WebMD.
Benson, who practices in Pensacola, Fla., says if a treatment is not working in about six weeks, it is time to try something else -- either a different drug or drug combination, behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.
“Most people can find a treatment that works for them, and they don’t have to suffer for years,” he says.
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