Management of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Pregnant Women with Cognitive Behavior Therapy

The present study was conducted to test the efficacy of CBT in the prevention of PPD in Tamil Nadu women by managing the antenatal depression, anxiety, and stress. Women at risk to develop PPD were recruited during pregnancy. Subjects were assigned to 4 groups based on their socioeconomics data. Assessment of depression (BDI, EPDS), anxiety and stress occurred during prenatally and at 6 months postpartum. The CBT was given to the subjects as one hour per session and post intervention assessment, phase I was done after 8 weeks administration of the intervention and phase II done at 6 months postpartum. The follow up sessions were carried out till 6 months postpartum. The paired 't' test analysis showed that there is a significant reduction of depression, anxiety and stress in all the 4 groups. Most participants that completed the intervention reported that it had a medium to great influence on their well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, current problems, role as mothers and their relationship with spouse and baby. Available data are consistent with the possibility that the incidence of PPD may have been reduced by the intervention.