We commonly see women in our consultation service who have histories of depression and are planning pregnancy. They frequently have questions about alternative treatments for depression while pregnant. Given that many women are taking omega-3 fatty acids prior to pregnancy, the question arises whether they should discontinue them during pregnancy. An additional question [...]
Tag Archives: Depression
Postnatal depression in men links to psychiatric illness in their children
May 26, 2008 – 10:53 am
While many studies have looked at the impact of postpartum depression in mothers on their children, there is very limited data on postnatal depression in the fathers and the potential impact it may have on their children.
Researchers at the University of Oxford recently examined predictors of postnatal depression in the fathers and studied the link [...]
Maternal Stress and Low Birth Weight Predict Later Risk for Mood and Anxiety Disorders
May 22, 2008 – 9:49 am
It has been postulated that psychological stress in the mother, if present at a critical time of brain development, can permanently alter a child’s response to stress and may have long-term negative consequences. In response to stress, blood flow to the uterus is restricted and the fetus receives fewer nutrients, which may result in lower [...]
Depression is Common Following Successful IVF
May 18, 2008 – 9:29 am
Psychological symptoms play a significant role in infertility. Some studies have examined the impact of psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) on fertility status. Most of this research has focused on women with unsuccessful IVF treatment. Some have investigated the extent to which a woman’s psychological state during assisted reproductive therapy (ART, which [...]
Stress During Pregnancy Increases ADHD Risk
May 10, 2008 – 5:02 am
While genetic factors are clearly important in determining a child’s risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), recent studies have investigated the link between exposure to certain maternal behaviors during pregnancy, such as smoking and alcohol use, and the risk of developing behavioral problems related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood. While multiple studies [...]
Do Oral Contraceptives Cause Mood Changes?
May 1, 2008 – 10:59 am
Many women have concerns about the side effects of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Potential side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and weight gain. In addition, some women may experience depression or mood swings, side effects that may influence a woman’s decision to start taking a birth control pill, particularly if she has [...]
New Study Does Not Find Link Between Paroxetine and Cardiovascular Defects
April 23, 2008 – 8:46 am
In 2006, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) elected to change product label warnings for the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil), advising against the use of this drug by women who are pregnant. This decision was based on preliminary studies which suggested an increase in the risk of cardiovascular malformations among infants exposed to paroxetine in utero. A recent [...]
Untreated Maternal Depression: What is the Impact on the Unborn Child?
March 27, 2008 – 2:47 pm
Depression during pregnancy is common. While concerns have been raised regarding the potential teratogenic and long-term neurobehavioral effects of psychotropic drug use during pregnancy, what is often overlooked is the fact that untreated maternal depression may also put the unborn baby at risk.
Maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy have been shown to be associated with a [...]
Desvenlafaxine for the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flushes
March 7, 2008 – 10:56 am
Last Friday, Wyeth received FDA approval for the antidepressant desvenlafaxine succinate (marketed under the name Pristiq), a metabolite of venlafaxine or Effexor. Although this drug was approved for the treatment of major depression, a recent study has demonstrated that desvenlafaxine could be an effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
Many women report vasomotor [...]
Depression is More Common in Women with High Risk Pregnancies
March 6, 2008 – 10:52 am
Epidemiologic studies suggest that about 10% to 15% of women suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of depression among women with high risk pregnancies. A recent study published online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggests that this population may be at significant risk for [...]
Fish Oil and Postpartum Depression
February 20, 2008 – 10:41 am
One treatment that has recently received a great deal of interest lately is fish oil. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish and fish oil, including eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), have an antidepressant effect. It has been discovered that mothers selectively [...]
New Research Study at CWMH: Treatment of Premenstrual Worsening of Depression
February 15, 2008 – 10:38 am
Seeking women between 18-45 with PMS who have been diagnosed with depression. If you are between 18 and 45 and:
Suffer with PMS
Currently being treated with an antidepressant
You may be eligible for a research study at Massachusetts General Hospital evaluating how a birth control pill helps with premenstrual mood symptoms. Women who participate will receive study [...]
ECT and Pregnancy
January 30, 2008 – 3:49 pm
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 [...]
Depression Related to Childbirth Affects One in Seven Women
December 24, 2007 – 1:39 pm
Although pregnancy has often been concerned a time of emotional well-being, several recent studies have indicated that women are vulnerable to depression during pregnancy. Analyzing data from the Kaiser Permanente Northwest HMO, researchers assessed the prevalence of depression before, during, and after pregnancy in a group of 4,398 women with pregnancies ending in a [...]
Cognitive Therapy versus Medication in the Treatment of Depression
November 26, 2007 – 12:53 pm
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 [...]
Use of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) During Pregnancy
February 20, 2007 – 12:38 pm
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.
The most recent information from the [...]
Perimenopause May Be a Time of Risk for New Onset Depression
February 10, 2007 – 12:35 pm
The transition to menopause has typically been considered a time when women may be more vulnerable to mood changes. There have been inconclusive data, however, as to whether women with no lifetime history of depression transitioning to menopause are at increased risk for developing an episode of major depression.
In a recent study, Drs. Lee Cohen [...]
Depression During Pregnancy is Often Not Treated
February 10, 2007 – 2:11 am
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 [...]
Relapse of Major Depression during Pregnancy
April 22, 2006 – 9:22 am
Over the last decade, the number of reproductive-age women treated for depression has increased significantly. Given the incomplete information available regarding the reproductive safety of many antidepressant medications, many women choose to discontinue pharmacologic treatment during pregnancy. However, several studies estimate that about 10 to 15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy (O’Hara et [...]
Perimenopause: A Time of Risk for Depression
October 22, 2005 – 7:41 pm
More than 50 percent of women experience some perimenopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, and sleep disturbance, before reaching the menopause. A recent article from Aetna Intelihealth notes that many women may also experience depression. In a study form Dr. Claudio Soares, women with clinically confirmed perimenopause were interviewed:
Of the 101 women studied, nearly [...]
Neonatal Symptoms After In Utero Exposure to SSRIs
July 27, 2005 – 7:21 am
The increasing number of reproductive-age women taking antidepressants has raised concerns about the potential risks of using these medications during pregnancy. Literature accumulated over the last decade supports the use of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the older tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, indicating no increased risk of congenital malformation in children exposed to [...]
Oral Contraceptives for the Treatment of Premenstrual Mood Symptoms in Women with Depression
June 14, 2005 – 12:20 pm
About 3-5% of women of reproductive age suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), where they experience depressive symptoms, anxiety or irritability during the last one to two weeks (the premenstrual phase) of their menstrual cycle. In addition, many women who suffer from depression, including those who have been effectively treated with an antidepressant, report worsening [...]
Should SSRIs Be Discontinued Prior to Delivery?
June 13, 2005 – 6:54 pm
About 10-15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy. The rates are probably even higher among those women who have histories of depression prior to pregnancy. Thus, many women with recurrent illness make the decision to remain on antidepressant during pregnancy. While there have been many studies supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, including [...]
Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy
February 14, 2005 – 7:03 am
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, our understanding of how these psychotropic medications affect the developing fetus remains incomplete. For this reason, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use [...]
Infertility Treatment: A Trigger for Depression and Anxiety
August 18, 2004 – 4:05 pm
While several studies have demonstrated high levels of psychological distress among women pursuing infertility treatment, few studies have assessed the prevalence of psychiatric illness in populations undergoing infertility treatment using standardized diagnostic instruments. In a recent study from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, a university-affiliated medical center in Taiwan, women attending an assisted reproduction clinic were [...]
Light Therapy for Depression During Pregnancy
June 23, 2002 – 12:31 pm
Depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression) is relatively common, affecting about 10% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, our understanding of how these psychotropic medications affect the developing fetus remains incomplete. For this reason, antidepressants are typically avoided during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear [...]
Depression and Preterm Labor
April 30, 2002 – 12:34 pm
Although most people tend to think of pregnancy as a time of emotional well-being, depression is relatively common, affecting about 1 in 10 women. While there are obvious concerns related to the use of antidepressants during pregnancy and the effects of these medications on the developing fetus, less attention has focused on the impact of [...]
Preventing Depression During Pregnancy
May 6, 2000 – 4:13 pm
Women who take antidepressants for their depression must make a difficult decision when they plan to become pregnant. Should they continue their medication during pregnancy? Or should they stop? Although [...]
