Postpartum Depression - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Can Women Suffer from Postpartum Depression After Miscarriage?

After the birth of a child, it is common for women to experience some type of mood disturbance. Typically, it is relatively mild (postpartum blues). However, about 10-15% of women experience a more severe and disabling illness, postpartum depression. It has been suggested that women who develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to the hormonal changes that take place after delivery and that these hormonal changes may contribute to emergence of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T14:05:19-04:00October 19th, 2006|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Postpartum Depression: Who is at Risk?

Many women imagine new motherhood as a time of total fulfillment, days filled with mother-infant bonding and boundless joy. In reality, however, many women experience significant mood changes following childbirth. Between 50 and 85% of new mothers experience a brief postpartum period of tearfulness and anxiety, termed the "maternity blues." But some 10 to 15% of women experience postpartum depression, or PPD, a longer-lasting and more pervasive type of mood disorder.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-22T15:31:51-04:00June 20th, 2005|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Paroxetine and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Non-pharmacologic interventions, including interpersonal psychotherapy, have been shown to be effective for the treatment of PPD. In addition, several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine (Effexor). In a recent report, Misri and colleagues have evaluated whether the addition of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to standard antidepressant treatment improves outcomes in women with postpartum depression and co-morbid anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-21T11:37:31-04:00September 20th, 2004|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Prevention of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a relatively common problem, affecting between 10% and 15% of women after delivery. Although it is difficult to reliably predict which women in the general population will experience postpartum mood disturbance, it is possible to identify certain subgroups of women who are more vulnerable to postpartum affective illness. Women who have had one episode of postpartum depression have about a 50% chance of experiencing another episode of PPD after a subsequent pregnancy. The extent to which a history of depression (prior to pregnancy) influences risk is less clear, but some studies indicate that between 30% and 50% will suffer from recurrent depression during the postpartum period. Several investigators have recently explored the potential efficacy of prophylactic interventions in these populations of women at risk.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-07T22:57:38-04:00July 20th, 2004|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off

Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine for the treatment of this disorder. In a recent report, Cohen and colleagues have demonstrated the efficacy of venlafaxine for the treatment of PPD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:24:00-04:00February 20th, 2002|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off