Dr. Marlene Freeman recently shared her insights on Psychiatric Medications and Considerations for Individuals Across Pregnancy, the Postpartum, and Reproductive Years with the National Alliance on Mental Illness on March 7, 2024.
Women who experienced depression during pregnancy were about four times as likely to experience PPD compared to women with no depression during pregnancy, with greater risk associated with depression during the first and third trimesters.
To better care for pregnant and postpartum mothers with ADHD, clinicians should understand the unique facets of ADHD in women, how symptoms change during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and how to help new parents make decisions around medication use and ADHD symptom management.
Postpartum SSRI treatment mitigated the negative associations between PPD and later maternal depression, partner relationship satisfaction, and child externalizing problems and ADHD symptoms up to 5 years after childbirth.
The largest GWAS study to date provides evidence that despite a high correlation with MDD, PPD may have unique genetic components.
Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, shows promise in preventing postpartum depression, reducing symptoms and improving sleep and pain control in women with prenatal depression.
A history of hormonal contraception-associated depression may be associated with a higher risk for postpartum depression.
Vigilance is required in screening women who present with postpartum depression; a subset of women who screen positive for depression may actually have bipolar disorder.
The package insert advises patients to avoid driving and other potentially hazardous activities after taking zuranolone.
Childbirth-related PTSD is relatively common; routine screening with a survey of PTSD symptoms may identify women in need of specific PTSD interventions.
