The Facts
On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zurzuvae — the first oral pill to treat postpartum depression (PPD).
According to scientists, taking Zurzuvae once a day for 14 days seems to ease symptoms of adults experiencing severe depression related to childbirth or pregnancy for months at a time. However, additional courses of the medication may be needed.
The Spin
Narrative A
Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that typically lasts longer than the anxiety or fatigue many women experience after giving birth. Zurzuvae's approval is a game changer for women's mental health and maternal depression, as the pill will dramatically expand the number of women who can be treated for their inability to feel pleasure and suicidal ideations following childbirth.
Narrative B
While this is a promising development, it only addresses one side of the equation: The first step in treating PPD is diagnosing those at risk of maternal mental health complications. In the US, as many as 50% of PPD cases are overlooked, leaving mothers unwittingly victims of this crippling illness. It's time to normalize PPD and develop the much-needed systems for accurate diagnoses.
