Pregnant Women & New Moms Suffer Silently from Depression – Screening Can Help

Cognitive Behavior Associates Women’s Wellness Program Offers Depression Screening

When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced in May that depression screening is needed for pregnant women and new mothers, we in the healthcare community understand that pregnant and new mothers can feel particularly overwhelmed and/or isolated during their transition into motherhood. Cognitive Behavior Associates (CBA) group practice offers a brief depression screening that can help women identify the symptoms they are having, offering an opportunity to have a conversation about their concerns, and guidance on how to better cope with life’s stressors.

Research findings show that Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) as well as other lifestyle practices such as mediation, diet, and exercise can have a major positive impact. The CBA Women’s Wellness program, uses CBT to help women understand how the physical and emotional transition into motherhood, along with daily life stressors has an impact in their mental health. Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disability in women around the world. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, nine percent of pregnant women and 10 percent of new moms will go through a major depressive episode.

Sometimes just talking to someone, being heard, and gaining an understanding of your symptoms can have an impact. CBT teaches women how their thoughts influence their emotions, and how specific behaviors can have a positive impact on their emotions. CBT has helped people with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychological challenges for decades.

For more information or to set up an appointment, please call (310) 858-3831.