Santa Clara University

Women’s Moods Across the Lifecycle: Premenstrual, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause & Menopause

CPSY x256

Description

Women suffer from depression and anxiety disorders at a rate of more than twice that seen in men. This incidence of depression increases in girls at puberty and remains elevated until menopause. Premenstrual mood problems are rarely taken seriously, although many women suffer monthly. Mood and anxiety problems in pregnancy and postpartum occur in more than 15-20% of women. Women are most likely to have a psychiatric hospitalization in the year following childbirth and suicide is a leading cause of death in the first postpartum year. Untreated prenatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders lead to potentially significant and long term consequences on mother, infant, and family. For many women, the perimenopausal period can last from seven to ten years. This is a time when most women experience a variety of hormonally related symptoms as well as depressive and anxiety related symptoms that can negatively impact work and family.

This exciting, practical, one-day seminar will teach professionals how to identify women at risk for mood and anxiety disorders at times of increased vulnerability, in particular premenstrual, during pregnancy and postpartum, and during perimenopause. Diagnostic screening tools for PMDD, prenatal and postpartum, and perimenopause will be reviewed. Attendees will learn how to assess and diagnose prenatal and postpartum depression/anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postpartum psychosis. Specific, researched, pharmacologic and non pharmacologic therapies and psychotherapies will be discussed as applicable to points of risk. Consequences of untreated illness will be explored, with particular emphasis on untreated maternal illness. A variety of resources for professionals and clients will be reviewed. If you are a health or mental health practitioner who works with women, this is a workshop you need to attend!

Instructor