The Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill for postpartum depression on Friday, supporting mothers suffering from the disorder and raising awareness of the condition. The introduction of the new drug coincides with this week’s release of proposed rules by the EEOC, which state that employers must provide time off for parents seeking postpartum depression treatment. The pair of announcements should help inspire more parents to pursue help for the condition.
The new pill, zuranolone, which will be sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, is prescribed for fourteen days and offers relief more quickly than antidepressants. In the clinical trial, the depression symptoms improved after only three days, and the benefits lasted over 45 days. Before this drug, the only approved medication specifically for postpartum depression was an IV that required a hospital stay and cost $34,000.
It’s estimated that one in seven pregnant women will develop postpartum depression. With 3.6 million births per year in the U.S., about half a million women are impacted by the condition annually. Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Oreck says the new drug is a “real game-changer” for those suffering from the condition. Oreck is launching a new online platform next month, Mavida Health, to help patients address postpartum depression and other maternal mental health issues.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include sadness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, lack of interest in and not feeling bonded to the baby, loss of energy and even thoughts of suicide or harming the baby. In contrast to postpartum depression, up to 70% of all new mothers experience the “baby blues,” characterized by crying for no reason, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. These symptoms last a week or two and do not require medical attention.
Postpartum depression is a much more severe condition than the baby blues, and Oreck says the disorder is typically characterized by hopelessness. Those with baby blues may feel sad or filled with emotion but remain optimistic about what lies ahead. With postpartum depression, the parent often loses hope for future improvement. Oreck is careful to note that the symptoms of postpartum depression vary significantly from person to person and may also include anger, rage, and physical symptoms.
Unfortunately, not enough women seek help for their postpartum depression. Mental health conditions, including deaths by suicide, are the number one cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States, according to the CDC. The availability of a drug specifically for postpartum depression sends a strong message that the condition is biological and not something women should try to address on their own.
Celebrities have shared their experiences with postpartum depression to raise awareness about this debilitating condition. Actress Brooke Shields detailed her struggles in a book where she describes contemplating suicide after the birth of her daughter. Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele, Kylie Jenner, and Reese Witherspoon have also opened up about their experiences, aiming to reassure other women that they’re not alone. Oreck says that despite the celebrity outreach, our culture makes it difficult to seek help for postpartum depression. “We see this can even happen to celebrities who seem to have it all and have all the support. And, yet, there’s still something about our culture, ‘you must do this as an individual,’ ‘you must be perfect at it,’” she says.
New birth mothers aren’t the only ones to experience postpartum depression. Adoptive parents, fathers, and those with surrogates can also have postpartum symptoms. Oreck says these parents still have some brain changes that occur as they welcome a new baby at home. For example, an estimated 4% of fathers experience depression the first year after their child’s birth. The new FDA-approved drug is only approved for those who are postpartum.
Addressing postpartum depression helps the parent and positively affects the infant. Research shows that those suffering from postpartum depression who are treated have a much better mother-infant bonding experience than those women who forego treatment. When untreated, a mother’s depression can lead to behavioral and emotional problems in the child, including delays in language development, sleeping problems, eating difficulties, excessive crying, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
EEOC And Postpartum Depression At Work
The new drug comes on the heels of the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. On Monday, the EEOC proposed regulations for employers implementing the new legislation. Among the new rules, the organization states that any requests from an employee for accommodation to attend postpartum depression therapy appointments should be granted (unless they cause undue hardship on the employer). The rules will help employers recognize the seriousness of the illness.
Returning to work after childbirth could provide some protection against depression, according to one study. Yet, Oreck suggests that returning to work could be a double-edged sword for new parents. It can remind individuals of their identities before having a baby, which can be helpful. For others, returning to work feels like they’re being torn in half, and they’re not doing a good enough job at parenting or the workplace.
Resources For Postpartum Depression
Increased awareness of the condition and potential treatments will likely translate into more women seeking help. Oreck hopes to increase access to treatment and support by launching a maternal mental health platform. Finding a doctor specializing in reproductive psychiatry can be difficult outside of large cities. Oreck wants her platform to make therapy, information, support and drugs available from one online location. The company will launch in early September.
For those suffering now, Oreck recommends getting in touch with your provider. Ask your OB, your midwife or your child’s pediatrician for referrals. She also suggests that new parents speak to those around them. She says, “I think we don’t talk enough to our friends and people who may have gone through similar experiences. But you’d be surprised once you get people talking. They might have had a similar experience and might recommend therapists for you.” She also recommends a nonprofit called Postpartum Support International that offers free weekly support groups, which can be a significant first step.
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