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

Childhood Abuse: A Risk Factor for Bonding and Parenting Difficulties

Multiple studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment is associated with subsequent difficulties. Researchers from the University of Michigan assessed parenting behaviors in women with a history of childhood abuse and neglect (n?=?97) and a healthy control comparison group (n?=?53). Participants were assessed at 6 weeks, 4 months, and 6 months postpartum. At 6 months, a home visit was conducted and mothers and infants participated in a dyadic play interaction later coded for positive parenting behaviors by blinded raters.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:52:28-04:00October 19th, 2012|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Screening for Perinatal Depression: What Can We Learn From Australia?

In 2009, the Australian government launched the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) in order “to improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression and to provide better support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing depression.” Its scope is very much like the MOTHERS Act, which became law in the United States in 2010. Both initiatives seek to increase public awareness of perinatal depression, to provide support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women with depression, to fund research in this area, and to implement training of health care professionals.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:57:25-04:00October 17th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Childhood Somatic Symptoms May Be Related to Early Exposure to Maternal Depression or Anxiety

About 10-30% of children have functional somatic symptoms (FSS). These are physical complaints, such as headaches, pain, fatigue, and dizziness, that cannot be explained medically. A new study suggests that when a child is exposed to depression or anxiety in the mother during the first year of life, he or she is more likely to report these somatic symptoms later on.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:33:07-04:00October 9th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Ultra-Brief ECT for the Treatment of Severe Postpartum Depression

This is a small case report but is an important one, demonstrating the effectiveness of ultra-brief electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of severe postpartum depression. While most women with postpartum illness have mild to moderate illness, there are some women with severe depression that significantly impairs their ability to function and to care for their child. Women with severe PPD are also at higher risk for suicide.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:36:10-04:00October 4th, 2012|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Postpartum PTSD As Common As Postpartum Depression

A recent study from McGill University has assessed the prevalence and course of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. The sample included 308 women who were assessed at four time points: 25-40 weeks gestation, 4-6 weeks postpartum, 3 and 6 months postpartum. Current and prior PTSD were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) and the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale Self-Report (MPSS-SR).

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2026-01-11T11:58:15-04:00September 30th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

A Simple Educational Intervention Reduces the Risk of Postpartum Intervention

While postpartum depression can affect all women, there are certain populations which appear to be at particularly high risk, including women of lower socioeconomic status. These women have limited access to resources and have multiple stressors including housing problems, financial strain, and being a single parent. Researchers recently piloted an intervention randomized controlled trial involving 540 participants at an inner-city hospital in East Harlem, New York. The primary goal of this psychoeducational intervention was to reduce the risk of postpartum depression among black and Latina mothers.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:08:04-04:00July 2nd, 2012|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off

Postpartum PTSD is Probably More Common Than You Think

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in approximately 10% of all women at some point in their lifetime. PTSD tends to occur more commonly in women during their childbearing years, yet we have only recently begun to look more closely at the incidence of PTSD associated with childbirth.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:40:47-04:00June 12th, 2012|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

Postpartum Psychosis Can be Prevented in Women at High Risk

Women with bipolar disorder or history of postpartum psychosis are at high risk for postpartum psychosis; appropriate interventions significantly decrease this risk.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2021-12-06T09:21:55-04:00June 6th, 2012|Medication, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Postpartum Psychosis, Prevention|Comments Off

CBT for the Prevention of Postpartum OCD

Given the prevalence of postpartum OCD and obsessive symptoms in women with postpartum depression, we should devote more time to this topic. This is an informative and well-written article by Alice Wolton on postpartum OCD in Forbes. In this piece, she mentions a recent study from Timpano and colleagues at the University of Miami where cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was used to prevent postpartum OCD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:52:07-04:00June 5th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychotherapy|Comments Off

A Blood Test for Identifying Women at Risk for Postpartum Depression?

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could identify women who were at risk for postpartum depression (PPD)? Maybe if we could do that, we could actually prevent the depression from occurring. Or at least, we could intervene in some way so that the depression would not significantly affect the mother and her family.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:59:41-04:00June 4th, 2012|Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off