schizophrenia - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Raloxifene as Adjunctive Treatment for Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia

A few years ago on our blog, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may be a beneficial treatment for women with schizophrenia. In this study patients with schizophrenia receiving estrogen showed significant improvement in their positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), but no difference in negative symptoms (reduction in range of emotional expression, poverty of speech, lack of motivation).1, 2 Additional studies have also found estrogen to be effective in improving positive and general symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. 3, 4

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:53:07-04:00February 13th, 2012|Menopausal Symptoms, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Prevent Onset of Psychotic Disorders in High Risk Populations

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are devastating disorders that usually require chronic care and impact individuals and their family members greatly in terms of morbidity and mortality. Research has helped to identify those who may be at greatest risk for developing psychotic disorders. Strategies to prevent psychotic disorders would alleviate suffering and have great public health significance.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:15:02-04:00February 10th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, General, Prevention, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders|Comments Off

Severe Pregnancy Stress May Increase Schizophrenia Risk in Offspring

A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry shows that children of women who experience the death of a close relative may have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. This study was conducted with records of children born in Denmark between 1973 and 1995, which were then linked to the central registry containing inpatient and outpatient treatment records. It consisted of 1.38 million individuals, including 21,978 children whose mothers experienced death of a close relative during the pregnancy, and 14,206 children of mothers who experienced illness of a close relative during the pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T13:55:54-04:00February 10th, 2009|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Estrogen for the Treatment of Women with Schizophrenia

There is cumulative evidence suggesting that estrogen might play a role in the development of schizophrenia and therefore may be useful in the treatment of this illness. On average, the first signs of schizophrenia appear 3 to 4 years later in women than in men, with a second peak in women around menopause. Interestingly, men suffering from schizophrenia exacerbation demonstrate low serum estrogen and androgen levels. Estrogen has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in treating hormonally mediated affective disorders such as postnatal depression or perimenopausal depression. A recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that estrogen may also be beneficial for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T14:46:54-04:00September 22nd, 2008|Hormone Therapy, Menopausal Symptoms, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders, Treatment|Comments Off