Anxiety Disorders - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Acupuncture Helpful for Reducing Anxiety in Women Undergoing IVF

Most women undergoing infertility treatment experience increased anxiety. In a randomized clinical trial, researchers explored the effectiveness of acupuncture in diminishing anxiety in a group of women undergoing IVF. 43 patients undergoing IVF received either active acupuncture (n=22) or sham treatment (n=21). Women with a history of psychiatric illness and those using antidepressants and/or anxiolytic drugs were excluded from the study. Anxiety levels were assessed before and after treatment using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAS).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:58:40-04:00July 10th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Anxiety Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

CBT for the Prevention of Postpartum OCD

Given the prevalence of postpartum OCD and obsessive symptoms in women with postpartum depression, we should devote more time to this topic. This is an informative and well-written article by Alice Wolton on postpartum OCD in Forbes. In this piece, she mentions a recent study from Timpano and colleagues at the University of Miami where cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was used to prevent postpartum OCD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:52:07-04:00June 5th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychotherapy|Comments Off

Generalized Anxiety in Pregnancy

Few studies have focused on anxiety disorders in the perinatal period. While various studies have measured levels of anxiety or distress during pregnancy, most studies have relied upon self-report questionnaires to assess for anxiety. In contrast, few studies have used standardized diagnostic criteria to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders in pregnant populations. In a recent study, Buist and colleagues studied the prevalence and course of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a prospectively ascertained population of pregnant women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-10T13:27:22-04:00June 21st, 2011|Anxiety Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Anxiety During Pregnancy: How Does it Affect the Developing Fetal Brain?

During fetal life, neurons proliferate, migrate and form connections, providing the structure of the developing brain. Neurons reach their final destinations by the 16th week of gestation, while branching and making appropriate connections occur even before that time (1). The brain continues to develop during the entire pregnancy, with most of the synapse formation in the developing brain happens during the third trimester (2).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-09-01T11:40:38-04:00April 11th, 2011|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Discontinuation of Antidepressants: Slower is Better

About half of all pregnancies are unplanned. In this situation, many women who conceive while on psychotropic medications decide to abruptly stop their medications when they discover they are pregnant. While this may seem like the safest option, in terms of protecting the developing fetus, we have data demonstrating high rates of relapse in women who discontinue antidepressant medications or mood stabilizers proximate to conception. We now have data (from several studies in non-pregnant populations) to indicate that the rate of medication discontinuation (abrupt vs. gradual) may also affect risk of relapse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-13T11:01:51-04:00September 13th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Should SSRIs Be Tapered Prior To Delivery?

Increased muscle tone, jitteriness, sleep disturbance, irritability, feeding problems, mild respiratory distress and myoclonus have been reported as symptoms of a potential neonatal distress syndrome related to exposure to SSRIs in late pregnancy. The average duration of symptoms reported is 48 hours. It is estimated that between 25-30% of SSRI-exposed infants are at risk for this syndrome. No treatment intervention is required. Reassuringly, follow-up studies have shown that at 2, 4, 6, and 8 months SSRI-exposed infants are indistinguishable from control infants without known exposure.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T17:01:53-04:00September 8th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

The Importance of Proper Dosing of Antidepressants during Pregnancy

Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for depression. Therefore, women who are treated with antidepressant medications must consider whether or not to stay on medication during pregnancy. Despite reassuring data regarding the reproductive safety of various antidepressants, a woman may prefer not to continue medication during pregnancy due to concerns about long term effects of medication on the baby. However, by discontinuing antidepressant medication, a woman increases her risk of depression during pregnancy. This is a highly personal decision for women as the potential risks of continuing medication must be weighed against the possibility of relapse and the potential effects of untreated depression on the pregnancy and baby.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:58:36-04:00August 30th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Anxiety During Pregnancy Predicts Worse Outcomes

In treating pregnant women with mood or anxiety disorders, we tend to focus primarily on the reproductive safety of psychotropic medications; however, it must be recognized that withholding or withdrawing pharmacologic treatment for depression or anxiety during pregnancy may carry some degree of risk. Untreated psychiatric illness in the mother cannot be considered a benign event, and a number of studies have indicated that depression during pregnancy may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes (reviewed in Bonari 2004).

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-03-24T11:56:41-04:00July 14th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Depression and Anxiety: Do They Impact Infertility Treatment?

Infertility affects an estimated 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Several studies have indicated that patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) experience high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Multiple risk factors for anxiety and depression during infertility treatment have been identified; these include being female, age over 30, lower level of education, lack of occupational activity, a male cause for infertility, and infertility for 3-6 years.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:46:54-04:00June 30th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Outcomes|Comments Off

Panic Disorder Increases the Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Anxiety often results in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is commonly known as the “fight or flight response”; symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, chest pain, and nausea or diarrhea. Activation of the fight or flight response is also associated with the activation of numerous other responses in the body, including the production of various stress hormones, including cortisol.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:26:31-04:00December 8th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off