Depressive Disorders - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Mindfulness Yoga for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

Over the past decade, the clinical literature has published many studies documenting the psychosocial and health benefits of various mind-body interventions. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, to improve coping skills, and to promote feelings of well-being. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a new psychotherapeutic treatment which has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and to reduce the risk of depressive relapse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:59:23-04:00September 11th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Depression During Pregnancy Increases the Risk of Preterm Birth

Some, but not all, studies have indicated that depression during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology is one of the largest to address this question.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:02:07-04:00September 11th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

More on Vitamin D and Depression

We have recently written about the link between vitamin D and depression. While several studies have indicated that low vitamin D levels may be associated with depression, we lack randomized, controlled trials assessing the benefits of vitamin D supplements for the treatment (or prevention) of depression. A recent report from the Women's Health Initiative Calcium and Vitamin D Trial included 36,282 women (50 to 80 years of age) who were randomized to receive 400 IU vitamin D (with 1000 mg calcium) or to placebo.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-07-27T12:45:01-04:00September 5th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Surgically Induced Menopause No Worse than Natural in Terms of Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Each year about 600,000 women in the United States undergo a hysterectomy. Somewhere between 55% and 80% of these women who also have their ovaries removed along with the uterus—a procedure known as oophorectomy. After the removal of the ovaries, menopause follows immediately and is associated with a constellation of symptoms including hot flashes and insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00August 2nd, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Folic Acid and Risk of Perinatal Depression: Is There an Association?

Recent reports suggest that people with lower folate levels are at higher risk of major depression or may experience more severe depressive symptoms. Other studies indicate that in folate deficient patients, antidepressants may be less effective or may take longer to take effect. In addition, some clinical trials have shown that folate may have a therapeutic effect on depression, either when taken alone or in combination with an antidepressant.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:25:29-04:00July 25th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: History of Depression and Anxiety Predict Lower Quality of Life in Midlife Women

The National Comorbidity Survey estimates that by the time women reach midlife, approximately 23% have experienced at least one episode of major depression and 30% have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Depression and anxiety disorders are each associated with impaired functioning and lower quality of life (QOL). There is also some data to suggest that, even after a depressive episode resolves, those with a history of a affective illness have a lower quality of life than those without histories of depression, with impairment in social and interpersonal functioning.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00July 24th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Infertility Increases Risk of Serious Psychiatric Illness

Multiple small studies have demonstrated a link between infertility and psychological distress, reporting high rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among women with infertility. These studies have evaluated psychiatric symptoms or psychological distress; however, less is known about the prevalence of more significant psychiatric disorders in this population.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:54:43-04:00July 16th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Measuring the Effects of Antidepressants versus Untreated Depression on Pregnancy Outcomes

Multiple studies have demonstrated an increased risk of poor neonatal adaptation associated with exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in late pregnancy. Results in the literature consistently indicate that about 25%-30% of infants exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy manifest symptoms of poor neonatal adaption, including jitteriness, restlessness, increased muscle tone, rapid breathing. These symptoms are transient, resolving spontaneously with no specific medical intervention.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:56:55-04:00July 10th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

In Brief: Menopausal Symptoms Usually Go Untreated

In this study, half of women aged 45 to 60 years reported experiencing menopausal symptoms. 69% of these women reported that their symptoms have negatively affected their lives. Among the women who endorsed menopausal symptoms, 72% had not received any treatment for their symptoms and 77% reported that they had not discussed treatment options with their healthcare providers.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-22T13:44:53-04:00June 18th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Progestins Do Not Negatively Affect Mood in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women

More than half of all women initiating treatment with hormone therapy will stop within the first year of treatment, most often because of side effects. Mood disturbance is a relatively common side effect that occurs with hormone therapy, and previous studies have suggested that progestins in the combined hormone preparations are responsible for these negative mood effects.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00May 30th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off