Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

What About Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS, has been available for the treatment of epilepsy since 1997 and was approved by the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of refractory depression in 2005. VNS relies upon the use of a surgically implanted device which delivers periodic stimulation to the vagus nerve. How VNS therapy works is not completely understood; however, several studies have suggested that this technique may be effective for some patients with treatment-resistant depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:13:00-04:00December 14th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

How to Treat Anxiety Symptoms During Pregnancy

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By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:11:38-04:00December 11th, 2007|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Treatment of Insomnia During Pregnancy

Most women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy, and for a significant number of women sleep disruption may be quite severe. There are many different causes for sleep disturbance during pregnancy, and choosing the appropriate intervention relies on an accurate diagnosis of the problem.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-12-11T09:41:07-04:00November 19th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Sleep Disorders|Comments Off

Binge Eating Disorder is More Common during Pregnancy

While it appears that many women with eating disorders may experience a remission of their symptoms during pregnancy, a new study from researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the University of Oslo, Norway suggests that binge eating disorder may be triggered during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:36:36-04:00October 27th, 2007|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Link Found Between Anxiety and Preterm Birth

While there have been concerns regarding the reproductive safety of psychotropic medications, it must be recognized that withholding or withdrawing pharmacologic treatment for depression or anxiety during pregnancy may not always be the safest option. Untreated psychiatric illness in the mother cannot be considered a benign event, and a number of studies have indicated that depression during pregnancy may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes (reviewed in Bonari 2004).

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-03-24T11:57:46-04:00October 22nd, 2007|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Depression During Pregnancy is Often Not Treated

While pregnancy has traditionally been considered a time of emotional well-being, recent data indicate that about 10% to 15% of women experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Furthermore, women with a history of major depression appear to be at high risk for recurrent illness during pregnancy particularly in the setting of antidepressant discontinuation. In a recent study researchers from the University of Michigan report that while depression affects many women during pregnancy the majority of women suffering from this illness do not receive adequate treatment.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T14:10:59-04:00February 10th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

New Book: A Deeper Shade of Blue: A Women’s Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Her Childbearing Years, by Ruta Nonacs, MD. (Simon and Schuster, 2006)

Depression affects women almost twice as often as men, with about one in four women suffering from it in her lifetime. While depression may strike at any time, studies show that women are particularly vulnerable during their childbearing years.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-05-16T06:50:03-04:00July 30th, 2006|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Relapse of Major Depression during Pregnancy

Over the last decade, the number of reproductive-age women treated for depression has increased significantly. Given the incomplete information available regarding the reproductive safety of many antidepressant medications, many women choose to discontinue pharmacologic treatment during pregnancy. However, several studies estimate that about 10 to 15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy (O'Hara et al, 1990; Evans et al, 2001). A recent study from the Center for Women's Mental Health indicates that the risk for depression is particularly high among women with histories of major depression (Cohen et al, 2006).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:41:14-04:00April 22nd, 2006|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy is relatively common, affecting about 10 to 15% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, our understanding of how these psychotropic medications affect the developing fetus remains incomplete. For this reason, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use of antidepressants during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy. In a recent study from Dr. Rachel Manber and her colleagues at Stanford University, the use of acupuncture is assessed in a group of pregnant depressed women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-21T11:46:39-04:00February 14th, 2005|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Light Therapy for Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression) is relatively common, affecting about 10% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, our understanding of how these psychotropic medications affect the developing fetus remains incomplete. For this reason, antidepressants are typically avoided during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women at high risk for antenatal depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-20T11:00:36-04:00June 23rd, 2002|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off