Alternative Treatments for Postpartum Depression

AbstractPurpose of reviewWhile pharmacotherapy is often used in the treatment of postpartum depression, there have been few positive randomized controlled trials that have supported this practice. Prior studies eliciting the treatment preferences of postpartum women have shown that this population is often hesitant to use antidepressant medications and have expressed a strong preference for psychotherapeutic interventions. Despite this, access to high-quality psychotherapy remains problematic in many regions. Given the concerns that many postpartum women have around the safety of antidepressant medications, it is important to consider alternative treatments that have some literature supporting their use in the treatment of postpartum depression. These alternative treatments include omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D3, bright light therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, parenting skills training, and social/peer support. In this narrative review, we will summarize the available literature for these treatments and discuss their potential incorporation into clinical practice.Recent findingsAmong alternative treatments for postpartum depression, we feel that there is a high level of support for psychosocial interventions targeting the women ’s primary support network. The neuro-interventional treatments electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation have a moderate level of support. Treatments with a l...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research