Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Many studies have observed that postpartum depression may negatively affect the mother-infant relationship and may thus impede bonding and attachment and negatively affect the development of the young child. A recent study explores the use of Perinatal Dyadic Psychotherapy (PDP), a dual-focused mother-infant intervention designed to prevent and/or decrease depressive symptoms in the mother and to improve aspects of the mother-infant relationship related to child development.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:21:16-04:00December 28th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Women with Epilepsy at Higher Risk for Perinatal Depression

A recent study examined the prevalence and risk factors for perinatal depression and anxiety in a group of Norwegian women with epilepsy (n = 706) compared to pregnancies in all women without epilepsy (n = 106,511).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-21T11:07:25-04:00December 23rd, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Acupuncture for Postpartum Depression

85 women with postpartum depression were randomized to receive acupuncture plus psychological intervention (five sessions per week) or treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg per day). The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-05-02T11:37:02-04:00December 22nd, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Postpartum Depression and Positive Parenting Practices

How does postpartum depression affect a mother’s ability to care for and parent her child? Various studies have demonstrated that depressed mothers may be less attuned to their children’s needs, either being less responsive to the baby or, in some cases, too intrusive. Researchers have speculated that this mismatch between mother and baby may contribute to problems with infant bonding, delays in development and emotional dysregulation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-11-10T12:20:00-04:00November 10th, 2014|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Pilot Study: Aripiprazole Added to Antidepressants for Postpartum Depression

Augmentation strategies can be used to optimize response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded adequately to antidepressant monotherapy; however, we have no data on the use of adjunctive treatments in women with postpartum depression (PPD). A recent study tested the effectiveness of antidepressant augmentation with aripiprazole (Abilify) in a cohort of 10 women with onset of a depression within 3 months of the birth of a healthy, close-to-term baby.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-10-23T14:38:03-04:00October 27th, 2014|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Older Moms at Higher Risk for Depression

A recent study from Canada has observed higher rates of depression in mothers who have children after the age of 40. The prevalence of depression after delivery was about threefold higher in women aged 40 to 44 years as compared to women aged 30 to 35 years. This relationship was even stronger after controlling for potential confounders, including education level, marital status, and chronic illness (adjusted OR 3.72; 95% CI 2.15 to 6.41).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:47:53-04:00October 23rd, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Impaired Maternal Infant Bonding More Common in Women with Severe Postpartum Depression

Maternal psychiatric illness can profoundly affect how a mother interacts with her child and is a risk factor for impaired mother-infant bonding, which may include a spectrum of difficulties: decreased maternal affective involvement, increased irritability, [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-29T10:02:37-04:00October 1st, 2014|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Poor Sleep Quality Predicts Severity of Postpartum Depression

All women are at risk for postpartum depression (PPD), and there is growing evidence to suggest that poor sleep during pregnancy and the postpartum period may be a risk factor for the development of depression. [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-11T10:05:07-04:00September 22nd, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Sleep Disorders|Comments Off

EPDS Modified to Screen for Lifetime Perinatal Depression

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was modified by adding lifetime PND screening questions, assessing worst episode, and symptom timing of onset, in order to assess the lifetime prevalence of perinatal depression. Subjects from the [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-15T16:21:50-04:00September 18th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Better Peripartum Pain Management: An Intervention to Reduce Risk of Postpartum Depression

A recent report suggests that epidural labor analgesia is associated with a decreased risk of postpartum depression (PPD). This prospective study included 214 pregnant women from Beijing, China who were preparing for a vaginal delivery. Epidural [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-15T13:15:10-04:00September 16th, 2014|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off