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Reproductive Age Women Need Folic Acid

A few weeks ago, January 7-13, 2008, was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), therefore we wanted to take the opportunity to remind women of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. Folic acid can prevent from 50-70% of neural tube defects, which are defects of the spine (spina bifida) or the skull (anencephaly). Spina bifida is the leading cause of childhood paralysis and anencephaly is nearly always fatal.

By |2020-07-27T12:48:15-04:00February 7th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Reproductive Age Women Need Folic Acid
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ECT and Pregnancy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for depression, with response rates that are consistently higher than those observed in clinical trials of antidepressants. Furthermore, ECT may be more effective than medications for treatment-refractory depression. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends ECT for patients who have had previous positive response to ECT or who are non-responsive to pharmacological treatments, as well as for those patients who experience severe psychiatric symptoms, including depression with psychosis. suicidal ideation, and mania.

By |2018-07-11T13:49:02-04:00January 30th, 2008|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off on ECT and Pregnancy
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Nutritional Supplements for Premenstrual Syndrome: Do They Work?

Many promote the use of certain vitamins and minerals for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but controlled studies supporting the use of nutritional supplements are sparse.

By |2015-07-28T11:22:36-04:00January 24th, 2008|Alternative & Complementary, PMS & PMDD, Treatment|Comments Off on Nutritional Supplements for Premenstrual Syndrome: Do They Work?
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Smoking While Breastfeeding: What Are the Risks?

Approximately 25% of American women of reproductive age smoke tobacco, and many continue to smoke during and after pregnancy despite the known potential harm to their own health and to their child’s health. These health threats remain after the child’s birth as the baby is exposed to nicotine and other toxins in both ambient air and breast milk.

By |2015-07-28T11:21:17-04:00January 22nd, 2008|Breastfeeding & Medications, Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use|Comments Off on Smoking While Breastfeeding: What Are the Risks?
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What About Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS, has been available for the treatment of epilepsy since 1997 and was approved by the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of refractory depression in 2005. VNS relies upon the use of a surgically implanted device which delivers periodic stimulation to the vagus nerve. How VNS therapy works is not completely understood; however, several studies have suggested that this technique may be effective for some patients with treatment-resistant depression.

By |2015-07-28T11:13:00-04:00December 14th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off on What About Vagus Nerve Stimulation?
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Interaction Between Birth Control Preparations and Anti-Epileptic Medications

The interaction between specific birth control preparations and anti-epileptic medications should always be taken into consideration when developing a treatment approach, as taking the two simultaneously may decrease the birth control pill's effectiveness.

By |2015-07-28T11:10:20-04:00December 6th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off on Interaction Between Birth Control Preparations and Anti-Epileptic Medications
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Can Paxil (Paroxetine) Be Used While Breastfeeding?

All medications are secreted into the breast milk, although concentrations appear to vary. There is a fair amount of information on the use of Paxil (paroxetine) in nursing women. While Paxil may be detected in the breast milk, there have been no reports of adverse events in the nursing infant. The only situation where one may want to avoid breastfeeding is when the baby is premature or has signs of hepatic immaturity, which may make it more difficult for the infant to metabolize the medication to which he or she is exposed. Premature babies are also probably more vulnerable to the toxic effects of these medications.

By |2015-07-28T11:04:33-04:00December 4th, 2007|Antidepressants, Breastfeeding & Medications|Comments Off on Can Paxil (Paroxetine) Be Used While Breastfeeding?
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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 |2015-07-28T11:03:46-04:00November 26th, 2007|Depressive Disorders, General, Medication, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off on Cognitive Therapy versus Medication in the Treatment of Depression
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