Psychotherapy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Non-Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Antenatal Depression: A Quick Review

About 15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy, and the rate of depressive illness is greater in women with pre-existing histories of depression. While there are data to support the use of certain antidepressants during pregnancy, many women are reluctant to seek pharmacologic treatment during pregnancy and may benefit from efficacious non-pharmacologic options. In a recent review article from Medscape, Christopher Tjoa and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania summarize the literature assessing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic options for the treatment of antenatal depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:51:45-04:00July 27th, 2010|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Premenstrual Syndromes: A Review of the Literature

Significant numbers of reproductive-aged women experience premenstrual syndromes characterized by depressed mood, irritability, mood swings, anxiety or tension, sleep disruption, and other physical symptoms, including bloating and breast tenderness. Typically these symptoms emerge during the week preceding menstruation, improve with the onset of menses, and are not present during the week after menstruation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:18:14-04:00April 6th, 2009|PMS & PMDD, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Pilot Study

Hot flashes are a common and distressing symptom of menopause, affecting approximately 60-70 % of women undergoing the menopausal transition. Several pharmacologic treatments for hot flashes, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some antidepressants, have been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. However, some women prefer not to use HRT or antidepressants and seek alternative treatments, such as homeopathic or herbal remedies. Many of these alternative treatments have not yet been evaluated for safety or efficacy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T15:16:17-04:00September 29th, 2008|Menopausal Symptoms, Psychotherapy, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Cognitive Therapy versus Medication in the Treatment of Depression

Both antidepressant medications and cognitive therapy have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression; however, the question remains as to whether one treatment is preferred over the other. Subjects enrolled in The Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study (men and women with major depression, ages 18-75) were initially treated with citalopram, an SSRI. Those who had unsatisfactory outcomes after initial treatment were eligible for a randomized second-step treatment trial in which they switched to a new treatment (either cognitive therapy or a different antidepressant) or augmented the citalopram regimen with either cognitive therapy or a different antidepressant.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:03:46-04:00November 26th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, General, Medication, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

Paroxetine and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Non-pharmacologic interventions, including interpersonal psychotherapy, have been shown to be effective for the treatment of PPD. In addition, several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine (Effexor). In a recent report, Misri and colleagues have evaluated whether the addition of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to standard antidepressant treatment improves outcomes in women with postpartum depression and co-morbid anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-21T11:37:31-04:00September 20th, 2004|Medication, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off