A New App Hopes To Help Women Suffering From Postpartum Mental Illness
BuzzFeed - Latest 2016-03-22
Summary:
Apple teamed up with researchers to conduct a study via their iPhones.
As many as 1 in 8 mothers will experience postpartum depression, psychosis, or a related maternal mental illness, and Apple has teamed up with UNC Chapel Hill, Postpartum Progress, and the National Institute of Mental Health to do something about it.
PPD ACT
They're putting the power of prevention directly into mom's hands with PPD ACT, an app that allows current and former postpartum depression and psychosis patients to participate in a research study via their iPhones.
"For us it’s momentous because we have an opportunity to bring together at least one hundred thousand women who have been through this" Postpartum Progress founder Katherine Stone told BuzzFeed — "what I love most is that it’s very patient centered. It doesn’t have the restrictions of usual studies — we want to talk to moms who self-identified and those who were clinically diagnosed. It gives moms an opportunity to have a voice on this like never before." And that kicks ass.
Rochelle, a PPD survivor, photographed by Jill Krause
UNC Chapel Hill has a successful history with studies like this. In 2008 they were the first to identify a genetic variant in people with Schizophrenia. This means they know a lot more about the illness now and can develop better treatments.
"We believe it's a real game changer for our ability to understand the biologic causes of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis and to use state of art science to develop innovative treatments, and that's the overall goal," UNC's Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, one of the app's creators, told CNN.
Diantha, a PPD survivor, photographed by Jill Krause
To achieve their goal, PPD ACT needs at least one hundred thousand survivors to participate.
Th iscould have taken years to find the old fashioned way, but with Apple on board, the app provides broad and simple access to thousands and thousands of women. LITERALLY IN THE PALMS OF THEIR HANDS.
Maggie, a PPD survivor, photographed by Jill Krause