depression - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

The Importance of Proper Dosing of Antidepressants during Pregnancy

Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for depression. Therefore, women who are treated with antidepressant medications must consider whether or not to stay on medication during pregnancy. Despite reassuring data regarding the reproductive safety of various antidepressants, a woman may prefer not to continue medication during pregnancy due to concerns about long term effects of medication on the baby. However, by discontinuing antidepressant medication, a woman increases her risk of depression during pregnancy. This is a highly personal decision for women as the potential risks of continuing medication must be weighed against the possibility of relapse and the potential effects of untreated depression on the pregnancy and baby.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:58:36-04:00August 30th, 2010|Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Massage Therapy for Depression

There are currently 100 clinical trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov using massage as a treatment. Six are listed for the indication of depression. A small minority are focused specifically on treating depression or anxiety, while in many the effects of massage for patients with serious medical conditions are being explored. Infant massage is also under study for developmental benefits. The number of randomized trials for verified psychiatric disorders using massage as an intervention are limited to date.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:56:28-04:00August 23rd, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Treatment|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

Men Get Postpartum Depression Too

While postpartum depression (PPD) is typically considered to be a woman’s illness, a number of studies have suggested that, although men do not experience any of the dramatic physiologic or hormonal changes that go along with pregnancy, new fathers may also suffer from PPD. The most recent study was a meta-analysis published in the May 19th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:40:58-04:00June 7th, 2010|Breastfeeding & Medications, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Diet and Nutrition May Influence Risk for Depression

There has been a long held belief that diet may influence well-being. The phrase “you are what you eat” suggests that nutrition has an impact on physical as well as mental health. Until recently, however, there have been few studies that provide data to support this idea.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:25:39-04:00March 18th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Prevention|Comments Off

Acupuncture for the Treatment of 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, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use of these medications during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:16:02-04:00February 23rd, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Examining Modifiable Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

Approximately 10-15% of women will experience mood symptoms that meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode during the postpartum period. However, as many as 50% of women may experience some level of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. Recent evidence suggests that even depressive symptoms that do not qualify for a diagnosis of postpartum depression may have a negative impact on both mother and child. In spite of the fact that so many postpartum women will experience depressive symptoms, little research has been conducted in order to identify potentially modifiable factors that could reduce the risk of depressive symptoms or the development of a major depressive episode during this time.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:02:04-04:00August 31st, 2009|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off

Depression and Menopausal Symptoms Go Together

It is well established that women are at increased risk for developing depression compared to men. It has been hypothesized that this vulnerability to depression may be hormonally mediated, and several longitudinal studies have documented an increased risk of depressive symptoms during perimenopause or the menopausal transition. Based on the results of two prospective cohort studies, approximately one-third of women will develop their first episode of depression during the menopausal transition. (Cohen LS et al 2006, Freeman EW et al 2006).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:58:10-04:00August 17th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Menopausal Symptoms, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Prepregnancy Depressive Mood is a Risk Factor for Preterm Birth

There have been multiple studies suggesting that depression during pregnancy increases the risk for preterm labor. Most studies do not attribute this increase in risk to antidepressant exposure, but to the effects of the depression itself. The mechanism is believed to be related to increased levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which is triggered by stress. Elevated levels of CRH have been shown to be a predictor of preterm birth.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:53:20-04:00July 28th, 2009|Depressive 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