While we use lithium less commonly now than we have in the past, lithium is still one of the very best mood stabilizers we have. And with regard to its reproductive safety, we have studies going back nearly 50 years. In the 1970s, reports from the International Register of Lithium Babies suggested a […]
Last week in clinical rounds we discussed a case of a woman with bipolar disorder who was planning a pregnancy. She had a long history of illness, experiencing primarily depressive episodes since her early 20’s. The only mood stabilizer that seems to have worked for her has been oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and she is currently […]
In the field of reproductive psychiatry, we don’t really have any textbooks to rely on. However, the June issue of the Psychiatric Clinics of North America is devoted to Women’s Mental Health, and it’s pretty much the most comprehensive guide on this topic. With articles from leaders in the field, it covers PMDD, medication use […]
Maintenance treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of relapse in women with bipolar disorder; however, many of the mood stabilizers commonly used in this setting, including lithium and valproic acid, carry some degree of teratogenic risk. In contrast, lamotrigine (Lamictal) appears to be a much safer option for […]
Pregabalin (marketed in the US as Lyrica) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. It is also used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders, most commonly generalized anxiety disorder. While it is not used as frequently as other anti-epileptic drugs, we do occasionally see women […]
The 30th Postpartum Support International Annual Conference will be taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 14-15, 2017. The annual PSI conference provides an opportunity to meet, learn together, and share ideas with others involved in the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). This professional event is a unique training and networking opportunity, […]
Given that many states have or are now moving forward with the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana, it should be no surprise that we are seeing an increasing number of women in our clinic who are using marijuana on a regular basis. According to a nationwide survey, 7.3% of Americans 12 or older regularly […]
Our group has noted that we are seeing an increase in the number of consultations for women treated with psychostimulants in combination with an antidepressant. The reasons vary. Some women have depression and comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sometimes a psychostimulant is used to manage residual symptoms and side effects, such as fatigue and cognitive […]
We were saddened to hear that Postpartum Progress, Inc. is in the process of shutting down. Since its inception in 2004, Postpartum Progress has been an important resource for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This organization — and all of the women behind it — have made such vital contributions in terms of […]
It was back in 2005 when we first reported on studies which demonstrated an increased risk of “poor neonatal adaptation” in infants with prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in late pregnancy. Since that time, reports consistently indicate that about 25%-30% of infants exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy manifest symptoms of […]
