Screening for depression in mothers bringing their offspring for evaluation or treatment of depression

Objective: Numerous studies have shown that the highest risk for first onse t of depression occurs in women of childbearing years and that there is a s trong association between lifetime rates of depressive disorders in mothers and their offspring. This association is found regardless of whether the m other or child is the targeted patient, However, little is known about rate s of current depression in mothers who bring their offspring to outpatient clinics for evaluation and/or treatment of depression. This information mig ht be useful in developing intervention strategies. Method: One hundred sev enteen mothers bringing their offspring for evaluation or treatment for dep ression were screened with the Patient Problem Questionnaire to determine c urrent symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse as we ll as current psychiatric treatment. Results: Thirty-six (31%) of the mothe rs screened positive on the Patient Problem Questionnaire for a current psy chiatric disorder. Sixteen (14%) screened positive for current major depres sion, 20 (17%) for panic disorder, 20 (17%) for generalized anxiety disorde r, two (2%) for alcohol abuse, and one (1%) for drug abuse. In addition, 50 (43%) of the mothers had psychiatric symptoms that did not meet the diagno stic threshold for any of the above disorders. Twenty-six (22%) of mothers expressed suicidal ideation or intent. Only five (31%) of the 16 mothers di agnosed with major depression were currently receiving any psychiatric trea tment. Conclusions: A substantial number of mothers bringing their offsprin g for evaluation or treatment of depression were themselves currently depre ssed and untreated. The treatment of depressed mothers may help both the mo thers and their depressed offspring.