A 7-year follow-up of antenatal depression treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy: A case report of maternal and child outcomes

Abstract

There are few studies of cognitive behavioral therapy for women with antenatal depression including qualitative and quantitative data, and yet, individual cases can provide valuable information on personal experiences of treatment effectiveness and acceptability. The purpose of this case report is to explore the long-term qualitative outcomes following cognitive behavioral therapy for antenatal depression. A pregnant woman with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnosis of depression was allocated to receive seven sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy in a randomized controlled trial. We describe her experiences and mood during treatment, at 12 weeks, 9 months, 2 years, and 7 years postpartum, as well as markers of her child’s development. The woman’s mood symptoms were dramatically improved after treatment and remained in the mild to moderate range until 7 years postpartum. Her child showed overall age-appropriate development, with strengths highlighted in his nonverbal and problem-solving ability. Relative weaknesses were in the communication domain and his processing speed. This case report suggests that psychological treatment for depression during pregnancy can be both acceptable to women and potentially protective in the long term.