Women and depression is focus of APA congressional briefing

The need for more effective treatment of depressed women, particularly those suffering from postpartum depression, was emphasized at an APA congressional briefing last June.

In fact, APA is receiving support from Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) who has introduced H.R. 163 recommending that health-care professionals be trained specifically to recognize signs of postpartum depression. A register would also be developed to collect mental health information on new mothers.

Citing the need for public awareness at the briefing, Gwendolyn P. Keita, APA's director of women's programs said, "Depression is one of the most severely disabling of all illnesses--whether physical or mental."

She told a standing-room only briefing that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from unipolar depression and many never seek treatment because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Those who do want treatment are often limited by insurance restrictions."

Adding to those problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research reports that only one-third to one half of women with major depressive disorder are properly diagnosed by practitioners.

Mary Blehar, PhD, of the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) noted that the institute's research program in behavioral science and neuroscience is contributing to the understanding of the reasons for the striking gender disparity in depression. Such factors include hormonal differences, differing exposures and responses to stress and personality variables.

Blehar said NIMH is making the development of preventive interventions for more high-risk women and more treatments for women with depression, especially pregnant and postpartum breastfeeding women.

Keita listed several goals for helping depressed women: