NASW Press Releases Guide for Postpartum Mood Disorders

New Book by Kimberly Zittel Presents Guidelines for Service Providers

WASHINGTON, DC— Despite the high prevalence of postpartum mood disorders, the majority of medical, mental health professionals, and other support providers receive minimal training on what PMDs are, and how to assess and treat them. To help more families get the assistance they need, the NASW Press has released Postpartum Mood Disorders: A Guide for Medical, Mental Health, and Other Support Providers by Kimberly Zittel, PhD, MSW. 

Nearly one in four women experience postpartum anxiety annually, and one in five will develop postpartum panic disorder or postpartum depression.  Approximately one in ten will experience postpartum posttraumatic stress, while another one in twelve will have postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder.  Failing to assess, diagnose, or treat women with PMDs can have detrimental results on women, children, spousal or partner relationships, and the entire family.

In her book Dr. Zittel educates health care professionals and women who suffer with PMDs and their families about available treatments. She also discusses ways that PMDs are addressed in the United States, what models are used around the world, and new opportunities for improving treatment..

“We are very pleased to release this timely guide, especially in light of the health care bill recently signed by President Obama,” said Lisa O’Hearn, Managing Editor at NASW Press.”  Those suffering from PMDs, their caregivers, and service providers have a new resource to help them explore all their options.” 

Readers of Postpartum Mood Disorders will learn:

• The full range of PMDs
• How to assess and diagnose these disorders
• Intervention and treatment options
• Tools and strategies to advocate for people with PMDs across disciplines and system levels
• The impact PMDs have on partners, children, other family members, and support systems

“Readers will also understand the need to develop more programs in the community to improve access to care for those experiencing PMDs and for those supporting a loved one with these disorders,” adds Dr. Zittel.   “Our goal was to create an every-person-guide that leads more families to assistance.”
Kimberly Zittel, PhD, MSW is an assistant professor in the social work department at Buffalo State College (BSC).  She holds an MSW and PhD from SUNY at Buffalo, and has extensive clinical experience working in medical settings and research experience with postpartum mood disorders and access to care issues.  Dr. Zittel is the principle investigator of the Postpartum Mood Disorders Initiative at BSC, committee member of the college’s Women’s Studies Program and board member of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York.