Adjunctive Treatment with Estrogen in Premenopausal Women with Schizophrenia
There is cumulative evidence suggesting that estrogen might play a role in the development of schizophrenia and therefore may be useful in the treatment of this illness. On average, the first signs of schizophrenia appear 3 to 4 years later in women than in men, with a second peak in women around menopause, suggesting that estrogen may be neuroprotective. Estrogen has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in treating hormonally mediated [...]
Assessing Risk for Postpartum Psychiatric Illness: Don’t Forget to Ask About Family History
Postpartum depression affects about 15% of women after the birth of a child. Women with a history of major depression prior to pregnancy are at increased risk, especially women who have experienced postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy. Exactly how family history of psychiatric illness modulates risk for postpartum depression is less clear. Previous studies have shown an aggregation of postpartum depression in families with early onset major depression and bipolar [...]
Weekly Roundup for DECEMBER 13, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
At a time when our appreciation of the biological basis of so many neuropsychiatric disorders has surged forward, our understanding of the etiology of hormone-mediated mood disorders, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), has lagged behind. Several interesting articles here explore the structural and functional changes in the brains of women who suffer from PMDD.  For more detailed descriptions of many of these topics, you can read the CWMH NEWSLETTER which comes [...]
Bonding Problems Emerge Early and Persist Across the First Year of Life
A mother’s emotional relationship with her baby begins during her pregnancy. After her baby is born, the mother’s feelings about her baby, described as bonding, typically grow and intensify and become the foundation of the mother’s relationship with her child. Postpartum depression can profoundly affect how a mother interacts with her child and is a risk factor for impaired mother-infant bonding, which may include a spectrum of difficulties, including decreased maternal [...]
Interpreting New Data on the Use of Benzodiazepines During Pregnancy
Data regarding the reproductive safety of benzodiazepines has always been somewhat difficult to understand. While earlier studies suggested an association between prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines and increased risk of cleft lip and palate, more recent studies have not demonstrated any increase in risk of congenital malformations.  Recently there have been a series of new articles on the reproductive safety of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines and Risk of Miscarriage In June, we reported [...]
Weekly Roundup for DECEMBER 6, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
On the list this week, there are a fair number of articles which look at the impact of maternal depression on children’s well-being. No real surprises, but more evidence that depression during pregnancy and during the postpartum period can have significant impact on the child’s well-being.  Nomura and colleagues looked at the impact of prenatal depression in women who were affected by Superstorm Sandy while pregnant, noting that exposure to this [...]