MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Although postpartum depression (PPD) affects about 15% of all women after the birth of a child, most women with PPD receive no treatment. One of the problems has been inadequate screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Over the last decade, there has been an emphasis on educating health care professionals to reliably screen for PPD; however, other obstacles to obtaining treatment remain. Many women cannot find appropriate treaters in their area. Others are not able to get childcare in order to attend weekly appointments. Given these limitations, it is important that we explore other types of interventions that might be used to reach and effectively treat women with PPD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-12T09:35:02-04:00September 8th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Response to the New York Times Article on SSRIs and Pregnancy: Moving Toward a More Balanced View of Risk

We have received many emails and calls from colleagues and patients regarding the recent article on the safety of SSRI use during pregnancy published in the New York Times. In this article, health writer Roni Caryn Rabin, detailed the risks associated with the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-05T10:29:23-04:00September 5th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: Further Insights Into a Complicated Relationship

For decades, researchers have postulated a connection between breastfeeding and postpartum depression (PPD). Many have suggested that breastfeeding may protect against postpartum depression and have suggested that the cessation of breastfeeding may be a trigger [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-08-25T13:54:02-04:00September 3rd, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Low Dose Paroxetine Improves Sleep in Postmenopausal Symptoms

Last year, the FDA approved the first non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes – a 7.5-mg formulation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine which was marketed under the name of Brisdelle. A new study [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:53:30-04:00August 25th, 2014|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Sleep Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

A New Strategy for Managing Premenstrual Symptoms

Current research suggests that women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have an abnormal affective response to normal hormonal shifts that occur during the menstrual cycle. Some researchers have hypothesized a metabolite of progesterone (PROG), allopregnanolone [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-08-21T15:08:21-04:00August 22nd, 2014|PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off

New Data on Anxiety Medications and Pregnancy

Benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics are commonly used during pregnancy. However, there data regarding the reproductive safety of these agents has been somewhat mixed. Although initial reports suggested that there may be an increased risk of cleft lip and palate, more recent reports have shown no association between exposure to benzodiazepines and risk for cleft lip or palate. A new study shows no increase in the overall risk of malformations among children exposed to benzodiazepines.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-08-28T23:00:37-04:00August 20th, 2014|Anti-Anxiety Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Smoking While Pregnant: What are the Effects on the Developing Fetal Brain?

When women come to us for consultation, we focus primarily on the risks of exposure to psychotropic medications. It is important, however, to consider the impact of other, potentially harmful, exposures that are common in [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-08-13T10:51:57-04:00August 18th, 2014|Nicotine, Outcomes, Perinatal Substance Use, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Research from the CWMH: For Menopausal Women Venlafaxine Does Not Appear to Affect Sexual Functioning

While many midlife women are interested in pursuing non-hormonal options for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, they are understandably concerned about taking antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, that, while effective for treating hot [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-09T11:41:33-04:00August 13th, 2014|Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Relaxation Exercises During Pregnancy: What are the Benefits for Mothers and Babies?

A significant number of women experience anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, with nearly 10% of women meeting criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. Even more women suffer from milder anxiety symptoms or what some refer to as [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-07-30T14:59:57-04:00August 11th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Depression and Anxiety Common in High-Risk Obstetric Patients

In this study 62 women hospitalized for high-risk obstetrical complications completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and Short-Form 12 (SF-12) weekly until delivery or discharge and once after [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-09T11:35:11-04:00August 7th, 2014|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

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