PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n5-127Keywords:
Postpartum Depression, Maternal Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Antidepressants, TherapeuticsAbstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a frequent and potentially serious public health problem, capable of compromising the physical and mental health of both mother and baby, and is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This study aimed to review the current scientific evidence on pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions used in the treatment of PPD. A narrative literature review was conducted in the PubMed database, using the descriptors "Depression," "Postpartum," and "Therapeutics," including articles published in the last five years, in Portuguese and English. The studies analyzed highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and individualized treatment. Among the pharmacological approaches, neurosteroids demonstrated rapid action in the remission of symptoms, while psilocybin assisted by psychotherapy showed therapeutic potential in resistant cases, although there are still limitations regarding long-term evidence. Among the non-pharmacological interventions, the effectiveness of digital platforms for psychotherapeutic support was observed, especially through applications and online programs. It is concluded that PPD requires a multidisciplinary approach and early identification, with new therapeutic strategies showing promise, despite the need for further studies to consolidate their clinical applicability.
Downloads
References
CAFIERO, P. J.; JUSTICH ZABALA, P. Postpartum depression: Impact on pregnant women and the postnatal physical, emotional, and cognitive development of their children. An ecological perspective. Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría, v. 122, n. 3, p. e202310217, 2024.
GOPALAN, P. et al. Postpartum Depression-Identifying Risk and Access to Intervention. Current Psychiatry Reports, v. 24, p. 889-896, 2022.
GULLACH, E. B. Postpartum depression. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, v. 99, n. 3, p. 423-425, 2020.
LEWKOWITZ, A. K. et al. The effect of digital health interventions for postpartum depression or anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, v. 230, n. 1, p. 12-43, 2024.
RICHARDSON, E. et al. Transformative Therapies for Depression: Postpartum Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, and Treatment-Resistant Depression. Annual Review of Medicine, v. 76, p. 81-93, 2025.
THUL, T. A. et al. Oxytocin and postpartum depression: A systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology, v. 120, p. 104793, 2020.
OLIVEIRA, Juliana Almeida et al. Zuranolone for postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of two randomized studies. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, v. 46, p. e-rbgo79, 2024.
RAJA, Adarsh et al. Evaluating the safety and efficacy of zuranolone in the management of major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, with or without concurrent insomnia: a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, v. 15, p. 1425295, 2024.
UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA). FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression. Silver Spring, 2023. Disponível em: FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression.