pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

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

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

ACOG Opinion on SSRI Use During Pregnancy

Recent reports have raised questions regarding the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) during pregnancy. To date, no professional medical association has issued formal guidelines regarding the use of SSRIs during pregnancy. However, in December the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG published an opinion paper on this topic that is noteworthy for its clarity and balanced review of the existing data on the reproductive safety of SSRI antidepressants (Obstetrics and Gynecology 2006;108:1601-3). The ACOG report addressed the following issues:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:50:42-04:00November 12th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|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

SSRIs and Pregnancy: Putting the Risks into Perspective

Depression is common during pregnancy, affecting 10% to 15% of women. While psychotherapy is an attractive option for the treatment of depression during pregnancy, all women do not respond to this intervention and many require pharmacotherapy. Thus far, no antidepressants have yet been approved by the FDA for use during pregnancy. Although data accumulated over the past 30 years suggest that certain medications, including the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be used safely during pregnancy, several new studies have raised concerns regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:29:44-04:00October 7th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Use of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) During Pregnancy

There are data to support the use of certain antidepressants during pregnancy. Most of the research over the last decade has focused on the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) and the older tricyclic antidepressants, but there is some new data supporting the use of bupropion during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:21:48-04:00February 20th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Evaluating the Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Antidepressant Exposure

Over the last decade information has accumulated regarding the safety of antidepressants taken during pregnancy. While much research has addressed the effect of antidepressant drugs on risk for congenital malformation, less research has focused on the long-term effects of prenatal antidepressant exposure.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:14:44-04:00February 20th, 2007|Antidepressants, Long-Term Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Pregnancy & Medications|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

Can Women Suffer from Postpartum Depression After Miscarriage?

After the birth of a child, it is common for women to experience some type of mood disturbance. Typically, it is relatively mild (postpartum blues). However, about 10-15% of women experience a more severe and disabling illness, postpartum depression. It has been suggested that women who develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to the hormonal changes that take place after delivery and that these hormonal changes may contribute to emergence of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-07-11T14:05:19-04:00October 19th, 2006|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off