anxiety - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Anxiety During Pregnancy: How Does it Affect the Developing Fetal Brain?

During fetal life, neurons proliferate, migrate and form connections, providing the structure of the developing brain. Neurons reach their final destinations by the 16th week of gestation, while branching and making appropriate connections occur even before that time (1). The brain continues to develop during the entire pregnancy, with most of the synapse formation in the developing brain happens during the third trimester (2).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-09-01T11:40:38-04:00April 11th, 2011|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Anxiety During Pregnancy Predicts Worse Outcomes

In treating pregnant women with mood or anxiety disorders, we tend to focus primarily on the reproductive safety of psychotropic medications; however, it must be recognized that withholding or withdrawing pharmacologic treatment for depression or anxiety during pregnancy may carry some degree of risk. 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|2024-03-24T11:56:41-04:00July 14th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Depression and Anxiety: Do They Impact Infertility Treatment?

Infertility affects an estimated 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Several studies have indicated that patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) experience high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Multiple risk factors for anxiety and depression during infertility treatment have been identified; these include being female, age over 30, lower level of education, lack of occupational activity, a male cause for infertility, and infertility for 3-6 years.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:46:54-04:00June 30th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Outcomes|Comments Off

Panic Disorder Increases the Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Anxiety often results in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is commonly known as the “fight or flight response”; symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, chest pain, and nausea or diarrhea. Activation of the fight or flight response is also associated with the activation of numerous other responses in the body, including the production of various stress hormones, including cortisol.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:26:31-04:00December 8th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Mental Health Parity in Massachusetts

Recent changes expanded the scope of mental health parity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which requires insurance companies to cover specified diagnoses on a “nondiscriminatory basis”. This means that copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, unit of service limits- such as hospital days and outpatient visits, and/or annual or lifetime maximums are no greater for mental disorders when compared to physical conditions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:51:49-04:00July 16th, 2009|Advocacy, General|Comments Off

Using New Research to Inform Treatment Decisions during Pregnancy: A Case Report

As more research is conducted within the field of women's mental health, there are times when recommendations may change depending on the available data. We will discuss a case here to illustrate this point.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:09:25-04:00March 17th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, 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

Impact of Infertility Treatment on Risk for Depression and Anxiety

Infertility and its treatment have been shown to be a trigger for both depression and anxiety. Women with pre-existing histories of depression and anxiety who have been stable on medication may find themselves with worsening symptoms brought on by the stress involved in the process of infertility treatment. Many women find the process an emotional roller coaster of hopefulness and disappointment.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T14:43:11-04:00August 28th, 2008|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|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

Stress During Pregnancy Increases ADHD Risk

While genetic factors are clearly important in determining a child’s risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), recent studies have investigated the link between exposure to certain maternal behaviors during pregnancy, such as smoking and alcohol use, and the risk of developing behavioral problems related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood. While multiple studies have indicated a greater risk of ADHD symptoms among children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, contradictory findings were reported in studies focusing on exposure to alcohol. Results from studies investigating the impact of psychological stress during pregnancy have been inconsistent but suggest a possible contribution to ADHD symptoms int he offspring.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:07:59-04:00May 10th, 2008|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Long-Term Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off