NEW mothers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) might now be asked a series of questions, including whether they have been feeling low-spirited or anxious.
The questions are part of a pilot programme to help identify women with post-natal depression, a condition that can leave them irritable, tired and affect their relationship with their babies.
Studies show that 8 per cent of new mothers here develop the condition, and medical practitioners suspect many do not get diagnosed and treated.
Dr Helen Chen, who heads KKH's mental wellness service and started the programme, said: 'We know this is a condition that is common enough, but we don't see as many patients as we expect from the statistics.'
Feeling down?
THE condition arises when women have difficulties coping with their babies, especially if they have other worries.
These concerns often include financial and marital woes, or even moving to a new home.
Women who are at higher risk of developing the condition are those who have previously suffered from depression, or those whose mothers have been depressed.
Post-natal depression can arise when women have difficulties coping with their babies, especially if they are burdened with other worries. These commonly include financial and marital woes, or even moving to a new home.
Those at higher risk of developing the condition are women who have previously suffered from depression, or those whose mothers have been depressed.
Sometimes, the depression goes away when issues are resolved.
But for about 30 per cent of sufferers who go untreated, the condition can last a year or longer.
Post-natal depression can weaken bonding between mother and baby, and stunt a child's emotional and intellectual development, said Dr Chen.
A baby learns from 'mirroring' his mother, but will not be able to pick up much from a depressed mum, who tends not to hold, smile, talk or read to the baby as often as a healthy one.
Under the new programme, some women who returned for check-ups two to eight weeks after their delivery were asked if they want to undergo the screening.
Most agreed, and went through a questionnaire with the counsellor who looked for symptoms, such as problems concentrating, eating and sleeping.
Women with high scores probably have post-natal depression. They are then referred to psychiatrists, who will counsel them, and if necessary, prescribe medication.
Counsellors will also advise patients' husbands to be more supportive of their wives.
In the three months since the programme's launch, 310 women have been screened and 25 were found likely to be depressed.
Of the 12 who agreed to be treated, three have recovered.
The rest declined, saying they were not ill and did not need treatment, or had no time, said counsellor Ms Ch'ng Ying Chia.
Counsellors keep tabs on these mothers, and advise them over the phone.
The programme has received a Health Ministry grant to run for four years.
For a start, it hopes to screen 2,000 women a year, and treat at least half of those who might be depressed.
The hospital delivered more than 12,000 babies last year, about a third of babies born here.
If successful, it will be extended to more patients.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on July 14, 2008.
