Mothers’ Reasons for Not Taking Depression Treatment*
| Reason | Mothers(n [%])† |
|---|---|
| Mother thought she could handle it herself | 21 (46) |
| No time for depression visits | 16 (35) |
| Treatment not recommended | 11 (24) |
| Concerned about what others would think; embarrassed | 10 (22) |
| Concerned about medication effects on nursing infant | 8 (17) |
| Concerned about medication side effects on self | 6 (13) |
| Thought it was “just a phase” or a short-term problem | 5 (11) |
| No childcare available during depression visits | 4 (9) |
| Concerns about insurance and cost of coverage | 4 (9) |
| Concerned about becoming dependent on medications | 3 (7) |
| Husband/partner unsupportive of her getting help | 1 (2) |
| Worried that baby would be taken away | 1 (2) |
* Self-diagnosed women (n = 46).
† Results show women who reported that they had been depressed but not treated.