Working moms trying to do it all may be more depressed

>>> at a time of so much economic uncertainty, the pressure to perform at work is growing for millions of americans which can be extra hard on working mothers. 66% of women with children under 18 are in the workforce and a new study shows that while overall working women have better mental health , there's a catch. the study also contends that women need to let go of the idea of a supermom. here's nbc's kate snow .

>> reporter: elise bohannon scott is working more hours than ever at the epilepsy foundation of america after four years at home with her children.

>> when i'm at home, i'm thinking what did i not do at work. and then when i'm at work, obviously i'm here with can children.

>> reporter: a new study says --

>> women tend to experience more guilt.

>> researcher katrina lube actually crites all the supermoms we saw in the '70s and '80, the study looked at 1,200 working women, all of them working moms, and found those who expected to be able to do it all with ease, suffered the increased risk of depression.

>> you're more likely to feel a sense of failure or frustration with yourself.

>> oh, sure, honey, you go hoed.

>> reporter: on the other hand if you're not expecting ward cleaver to help out around the kitchen maybe you won't be so disappointed when you're the one baking the birthday cake.

>> reporter: for more working moms -- she wrote a book called "forget perfect" a decade ago.

>> you might want to set a really what are bar for your career and a high bar for your time with your kids, but a low bar for matching hand towels.

>> all of this is fuel for the daily mom conversation online. this mother of a newborn is planning to be back at work full-time in october. on her blog she says she tucks her supermom cape under her work jacket.

>> i don't have high expectations, i have realistic expectations.

>> she said we can still -- kate snow , nbc news, new york.