In Brief: Dr. Elizabeth Fitelson on Distinguishing Postpartum Depression from the Blues
In our clinic, we see many women with postpartum depression. Some women know that something is wrong fairly soon after the depression sets in, and they seek help; however, far too many women present long after the onset of the depression, convinced that they are just suffering from the blues. In this interview, Dr. Elizabeth Fitelson, the director of the Women's Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University, discusses [...]
Weekly Roundup for JULY 5, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
In a large study from France (Blotière et al, 2019), researchers demonstrated that exposure to monotherapy with valproic acid was associated with 8 specific types of major congenital malformations (e.g., spina bifida, OR 19.4), and exposure to topiramate was associated with an increased risk of cleft lip (OR 6.8). No significant associations were found for lamotrigine, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and gabapentin. Two studies look at the accuracy of various screening instruments [...]
Medical Clinics of North America: Focus on Women’s Mental Health
The July edition of the Medical Clinics of North America focuses on Women’s Mental Health. Editors Susan G. Kornstein and Anita Clayton have put together a great collection of articles from experts in our field.   Update on Reproductive Rights and Women's Mental Health. Stotland NL. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jul;103(4):751-766.  Update on Mental Health Aspects of Intimate Partner Violence. Stewart DE, Vigod SN. Med Clin North Am. 2019 [...]
How Do We Respond to Mothers Who Use Drugs During Pregnancy?
We have been writing over the last few years about the growing problem of opioid use and abuse in women of reproductive age. Simultaneously we are seeing an increase in marijuana use among reproductive age women, including those who are pregnant. Although the laws vary from state to state, the laws regarding use of marijuana, opiates, and other recreational drugs are clear. This is not the case, however, when the person using [...]
Weekly Roundup for JUNE 28, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
 Ketamine is the hot new antidepressant. It has been shown to work quickly in patients with severe depression and can rapidly reduce suicidal ideation. However, these studies have not been conducted in perinatal women; this group of women is typically excluded from clinical trials because there is typically very little information on the reproductive safety of new drugs.  Ma and colleagues looked at the capacity of ketamine to reduce [...]
In Brief: Positive Benefits of Father’s Involvement in Childcare
According to recent studies, the participation of fathers in childcare nearly doubled between 1965 and 2011. Despite this growing involvement of fathers in their children’s lives, pediatric visits continue to be focused on the mother-child relationship. Few early parent education programs focus on fathers.  Paternal involvement positively affects infant neurodevelopment, but also decreases maternal stress and reduces maternal burden, which further contributes to healthy infant neurodevelopment and may lower risk for [...]