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

A Mouse Model of Postpartum Depression

Maguire and Mody's report, GABAA R Plasticity during Pregnancy: Relevance to Postpartum Depression, in the July 2008, Neuron, provides evidence that an abnormal Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor subunit in pregnant mice may be a useful model for postpartum depression. The report describes how GABAA receptors, specifically, the delta-subunit-containing GABA receptor, are a preferred target for neurosteroids. They designed a study to identify functional changes in these receptors during pregnancy and postpartum and then looked at possible behavioral correlates in the mice.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:07:14-04:00March 10th, 2009|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Maternal depression, in-home violence, and use of physical punishment

Parental use of physical punishment early in childhood may be associated with subsequent maladaptive behaviors such as child aggression and impaired social information processing. There are links between certain childhood behaviors and risk for parental use of physical punishment, although cause and effect are difficult to establish with these associations. Higher rates of physical punishment correlate with maternal depression and domestic violence.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:27:53-04:00January 26th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

University of North Carolina Center for Mood Disorders Expands Services to Postpartum Women

Last Wednesday, the UNC Medical Center opened an outpatient clinic for women with postpartum depression, and on November 3rd opened an inpatient unit for women with postpartum depression. The inpatient unit is called "the first of its kind" in the United States, and is a progressive example of specialized health care initiatives for improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum mood disorders in the US.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:48:26-04:00November 5th, 2008|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Identifying Postpartum Depression: A Three Question Screening Tool

While postpartum depression is common among new mothers, our ability to reliably detect this illness remains poor. Recent studies have indicated that most obstetricians report that they screen for postpartum psychiatric problems at routine follow-up visits but typically do not use standardized instruments to assess for postpartum depression. Unfortunately, studies which have measured the success of routine screening suggest that without the use of standardized screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, many women with postpartum depression are not identified.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:45:03-04:00October 27th, 2008|Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Following Childbirth

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after childbirth is an understudied condition. Traditionally, much of the data have been based on case reports, indicating that PTSD can occur following a range of childbirth and child loss situations, including long or complicated labor, severe pain with labor or delivery, cesarean section, and unanticipated pregnancy outcome, such as child loss, miscarriage or infant birth defects. PTSD related to childbirth is frequently overlooked by physicians; the relative newness of the diagnosis and lack of literature on this topic are factors which may hinder recognition of this disorder.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2026-01-11T11:58:13-04:00October 8th, 2008|Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

New England Journal of Medicine Case Report: Postpartum Psychosis in a Woman with Bipolar Disorder

The most recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine includes the presentation of a case from the Center for Women's Mental Health of a woman with bipolar disorder who developed postpartum psychosis after the birth of her child. The case highlights some of the clinical challenges in treating patients with bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period and reviews the current literature on postpartum psychosis.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:59-04:00August 11th, 2008|Bipolar Disorder, Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Postpartum Psychosis, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

MOTHERS Act Legislation Faces Opposition

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act — named for an Illinois woman who committed suicide three months after giving birth — was approved by the House of Representatives in October. This article from the North Jersey Record reports that the legislation has been held up in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T13:36:11-04:00June 4th, 2008|Advocacy, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Postpartum Depression in Men Linked to Psychiatric Illness in Their Children

While many studies have looked at the impact of postpartum depression in mothers on their children, there is very limited data on postnatal depression in the fathers and the potential impact it may have on their children.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T13:27:52-04:00May 26th, 2008|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Maternal Stress and Low Birth Weight Predict Later Risk for Mood and Anxiety Disorders

It has been postulated that psychological stress in the mother, if present at a critical time of brain development, can permanently alter a child's response to stress and may have long-term negative consequences. In response to stress, blood flow to the uterus is restricted and the fetus receives fewer nutrients, which may result in lower birth weight. Several studies have demonstrated an association between maternal stress and low birth weight, and it is felt that low birth weight is a marker for stressful intrauterine conditions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T13:24:01-04:00May 22nd, 2008|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Eating Disorders in Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression

The British Medical Journal recently published a brief, but comprehensive review of eating disorders in pregnancy by Veronica Bridget Ward. Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified) most commonly occur in women of reproductive age and may be influenced by pregnancy and its associated weight gain and change in body shape. Some women experience a worsening of eating disorder symptoms, while others improve, or remain unchanged throughout the course of the pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T12:55:07-04:00May 8th, 2008|Eating Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off