Women are at significant risk for severe psychiatric illness after childbirth, particularly during the first three months. Â Suicide is a rare but tragic outcome of untreated psychiatric illness in this setting. Â In order to prevent [...]
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 [...]
To be honest, I was not really familiar with the USPSTF until this task force issued recommendations regarding screening for depression in adults and emphasized the importance of screening for depression in pregnant and postpartum [...]
While we tend to think of postpartum depression (PPD) as a hormonally driven mood disorder in women, multiple studies have suggested that, although men do not experience any of the dramatic physiological or hormonal changes [...]
 Studies in animals and humans suggest that psychological distress experienced by mothers during pregnancy is associated with later neurodevelopmental problems in their offspring.  Project Ice Storm is one such study exploring the effect of [...]
![By Vera Kratochvil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://womensmentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mother_Kissing_Baby-320x202.jpg)
There is significant literature indicating that a mother’s depression may adversely affect her young child.  Studies have demonstrated that the children of depressed mothers are more likely than the children of non-depressed mothers to exhibit [...]
What Were We Thinking (WWWT) is a psychoeducational program for couples which was designed to prevent postpartum mood and anxiety disorders in first-time mothers. Â The hope is that by addressing relevant and potentially modifiable risk [...]
Previous studies have identified immigrant women as being at increased risk for postpartum depression. Â While we have considerable data on the prevalence and predictors of postpartum depression (PPD), most of these data do not specifically [...]
Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released recommendations on Screening for Depression in Adults. The Task Force recommends that clinicians screen ALL ADULTS for depression and notes that the evidence indicates [...]
It has been hypothesized that both premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and postpartum depression (PPD) occur as the result of rapid shifts in the levels of ovarian hormones. Data regarding the prevalence of PPD among women [...]
