General - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Onset of Psychotic Disorders in High Risk Populations

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are devastating disorders that usually require chronic care and impact individuals and their family members greatly in terms of morbidity and mortality. Research has helped to identify those who may be at greatest risk for developing psychotic disorders. Strategies to prevent psychotic disorders would alleviate suffering and have great public health significance.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:15:02-04:00February 10th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, General, Prevention, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders|Comments Off

Generic Medications

Many patients ask questions about generic medications, wondering how they differ and if they’re as safe and as effective as the more expensive brand name versions. To better understand this concept, we’ll discuss an example.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:56:26-04:00August 10th, 2009|Antidepressants, General, Medication|Comments Off

Mental Health Parity in Massachusetts

Recent changes expanded the scope of mental health parity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which requires insurance companies to cover specified diagnoses on a “nondiscriminatory basis”. This means that copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, unit of service limits- such as hospital days and outpatient visits, and/or annual or lifetime maximums are no greater for mental disorders when compared to physical conditions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:51:49-04:00July 16th, 2009|Advocacy, General|Comments Off

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression in Women

An ideal treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in women would be efficacious, safe, and offer broad health benefits. MDD is prevalent in women of childbearing years, and recent research underscores the risk of recurrence [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:39:30-04:00June 19th, 2009|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Treatment|Comments Off

Screening for Metabolic Side Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics

Atypical antipsychotics are increasingly used to treat psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. In spite of the important role they play for many patients in treating serious psychiatric disorders, atypicals have been associated with negative side effects that may worsen a patient's cardiovascular health profile. This includes a greater risk for weight gain, glucose dysregulation/diabetes, and dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides/cholesterol).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:17:19-04:00March 31st, 2009|Antipsychotic Medications, General, Outcomes|Comments Off

Grapefruit Juice May Affect Drug Absorption

CYP3A4 is an intestinal enzyme that is part of the Cytochrome P450 metabolic system. It is important in many drug-drug and drug-food interactions, and it is one of the first enzymes to break down medications when they enter the body.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:31:07-04:00February 2nd, 2009|Antidepressants, Antipsychotic Medications, General|Comments Off

Sildenafil (Viagra) Treatment of Women with Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction

While some side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants tend to decrease or resolve over time, other side effects such as sexual dysfunction rarely remit spontaneously. Treatment of sexual side effects in women is especially important when about 30-70% of patients taking antidepressants may experience sexual side effects, combined with the fact that women are prescribed antidepressants at rates of 2 to 1 when compared to men.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:23:22-04:00January 6th, 2009|Antidepressants, General, Medication, Sexual Health, Treatment|Comments Off

Exercise and Depression

Exercise plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining good health. Along with numerous other health benefits, recent studies have shown that exercise alleviates symptoms of depression and may be useful in treating mild to moderate major depressive disorder (MDD). A study by Dunn and colleagues (2005) examined the efficacy of exercise as a treatment for depression, along with the dose-response relationship of exercise and reduction in depressive symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:05:36-04:00November 24th, 2008|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Outcomes, Treatment|Comments Off

Oral Contraceptives Reduce Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Blood Levels

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has been effectively used for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Many women suffering from bipolar disorder are of childbearing age; therefore an adequate contraception is a major concern that needs to be addressed in this population.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:07:14-04:00October 20th, 2008|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, General, Hormone Therapy|Comments Off

Does Depo-Provera Cause Mood Changes?

Depo-Provera (DMPA), also known as the birth control shot, is a highly effective form of contraception that lasts for 3 months, and thus requires only 4 injections per year. DMPA contains a long-lasting form of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate that works as a contraceptive agent by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Potential side effects of DMPA include bone density loss, weight gain, and mood worsening. Although depression is listed in the packet insert as a side effect of the injection, available research addressing this side effect are limited and contradictory.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2019-03-01T13:36:17-04:00July 29th, 2008|Contraception, Depressive Disorders, General, Hormone Therapy, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off