depression - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

New Research from the CWMH: Surgically Induced Menopause No Worse than Natural in Terms of Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Each year about 600,000 women in the United States undergo a hysterectomy. Somewhere between 55% and 80% of these women who also have their ovaries removed along with the uterus—a procedure known as oophorectomy. After the removal of the ovaries, menopause follows immediately and is associated with a constellation of symptoms including hot flashes and insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00August 2nd, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to Screen for Antenatal Depression: Once is Not Enough

Over the past few years, there has been a push to screen women for depression both during pregnancy and the postpartum period. While there have been various initiatives mandating screening, there remain questions regarding the optimal timing of screening and the best screening tools to use.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:23:32-04:00July 30th, 2012|Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Depression, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Folic Acid and Risk of Perinatal Depression: Is There an Association?

Recent reports suggest that people with lower folate levels are at higher risk of major depression or may experience more severe depressive symptoms. Other studies indicate that in folate deficient patients, antidepressants may be less effective or may take longer to take effect. In addition, some clinical trials have shown that folate may have a therapeutic effect on depression, either when taken alone or in combination with an antidepressant.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T12:25:29-04:00July 25th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: History of Depression and Anxiety Predict Lower Quality of Life in Midlife Women

The National Comorbidity Survey estimates that by the time women reach midlife, approximately 23% have experienced at least one episode of major depression and 30% have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Depression and anxiety disorders are each associated with impaired functioning and lower quality of life (QOL). There is also some data to suggest that, even after a depressive episode resolves, those with a history of a affective illness have a lower quality of life than those without histories of depression, with impairment in social and interpersonal functioning.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:02:53-04:00July 24th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Infertility Increases Risk of Serious Psychiatric Illness

Multiple small studies have demonstrated a link between infertility and psychological distress, reporting high rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among women with infertility. These studies have evaluated psychiatric symptoms or psychological distress; however, less is known about the prevalence of more significant psychiatric disorders in this population.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:54:43-04:00July 16th, 2012|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Infertility and Mental Health, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Measuring the Effects of Antidepressants versus Untreated Depression on Pregnancy Outcomes

Multiple studies have demonstrated an increased risk of poor neonatal adaptation associated with exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in late pregnancy. Results in the literature consistently indicate that about 25%-30% of infants exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy manifest symptoms of poor neonatal adaption, including jitteriness, restlessness, increased muscle tone, rapid breathing. These symptoms are transient, resolving spontaneously with no specific medical intervention.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:56:55-04:00July 10th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

A Simple Educational Intervention Reduces the Risk of Postpartum Intervention

While postpartum depression can affect all women, there are certain populations which appear to be at particularly high risk, including women of lower socioeconomic status. These women have limited access to resources and have multiple stressors including housing problems, financial strain, and being a single parent. Researchers recently piloted an intervention randomized controlled trial involving 540 participants at an inner-city hospital in East Harlem, New York. The primary goal of this psychoeducational intervention was to reduce the risk of postpartum depression among black and Latina mothers.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:08:04-04:00July 2nd, 2012|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off

Infertility Treatment is Stressful: But Does Stress Affect the Chances of Getting Pregnant?

It is common for women experiencing infertility and undergoing fertility treatment to experience significant emotional distress. Many women, reasoning that their emotional health influences their physical functioning, worry that the stress and anxiety they experience in this context may hinder their ability to become pregnant.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:26:09-04:00June 25th, 2012|Infertility and Mental Health, Outcomes, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

Red Ginseng May Help with Menopausal Symptoms But Is It A Good Choice for All Women?

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:34:20-04:00June 19th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

In Brief: Menopausal Symptoms Usually Go Untreated

In this study, half of women aged 45 to 60 years reported experiencing menopausal symptoms. 69% of these women reported that their symptoms have negatively affected their lives. Among the women who endorsed menopausal symptoms, 72% had not received any treatment for their symptoms and 77% reported that they had not discussed treatment options with their healthcare providers.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-22T13:44:53-04:00June 18th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off