Winter 2016/2017
Postpartum Depression and Your Patients
Neighborhood and Beacon Health Strategies (Beacon*) work collaboratively to ensure our members receive the best and most appropriate care available. In keeping with that goal, we want to share important information with you on a disorder that can affect pregnant women prior to and following the birth of a child.
Childbirth often triggers feelings of joy and excitement as well as anxiety and fear. For some mothers this time can also bring about something else: postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression has many symptoms that providers should assess for, including:
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Intense irritability and anger
Lack of joy in life
Severe mood swings
Feelings of shame or guilt
Difficulty bonding with the new baby
Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
If you have a Neighborhood member who is showing these symptoms for two weeks or more, these may be signs of postpartum depression.
There are many treatment options available that bring together the Primary Care Physician (PCP), obstetrician and behavioral health clinicians. Please remind your patients to sign releases so their treatment can be most appropriately addressed and organized.
If you feel that a patient may be suffering from postpartum depression and you would like more information or assistance referring her to a behavioral health clinician, Beacon can help.
For more information on assessment, medication management and other treatment issues, visit the Beacon website at www.beaconhealthoptions.com. Click on Providers, Beacon Health Strategies Providers, and type “NHPRI” in the search box.
You can also call Beacon at 1-800-215-0058, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm. Thank you for your partnership and dedication to our members.
*Beacon Health Strategies is a Beacon Health Options company.