This content has been updated from previous article on March 19, 2021. 800,000 new mothers are affected by a maternal mental health disorder each year in the United States. One in five new moms is affected but 75 percent of those women go without professional evaluation and treatment. Untreated maternal mental health disorders impact the mother, baby, family, and society as a whole and contribute to the incredibly high rate of suicide and overdose in postpartum moms. Aftermath of COVID-19 and Postpartum Mental Health The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of mental health disorders in our pregnant and postpartum moms. Social isolation and lack of access to support, as well as fin...

Key Takeaways Postpartum Depression (PPD) impacts millions of women worldwide.  It affects up to 1 in 7 women, 75% of women receive no treatment.  Alarmingly, suicide combined with overdose is the leading cause of death in the postpartum period. Symptoms of PPD include intense feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt, sleep disturbances, and even thoughts of self-harm. The FDA approved Zurzuvae (zuranolone) as the first and only oral, once-daily, 14-day treatment medication that can provide rapid improvements in depressive symptoms for women with PPD. Zurzuvae is expected to be a less costly and more accessible alternative to the only other drug approved for postpartum depression called Zulresso (brexanolone), which requires a 60-hour intravenous infusion in a clinic or a hospital. Navigating through motherhood is a journey filled with emotional highs and lows, but for some women, this beautiful transition can lead to a daunting Mental Health condition known as Postpartum Depression (PPD). Affecting approximately 1 in 7 women worldwide, PPD extends beyond mere baby blues, signifying a profound psychological issue that necessitates prompt identification and ref...

Menopause is a significant transition in a woman’s life that can bring a range of not only physical changes, but emotional effects as well. During this time, women may experience significant impacts to their emotional health, including new or increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. An integrated care plan is essential for treating the whole person. That’s why LifeStance has partnered with Gennev, the nation’s leading virtual menopause clinic provider to create integrated, collaborative care teams that can help women address both their physical and emotional health needs during menopause. Dr. Anisha Patel-Dunn, Chief Medical Officer of LifeStance, believes in integrated care treatment that specifically addresses women’s unique concerns during menopause. “We look forward to partnering with Gennev and ensuring patients receive integrated treatment that specifically addresses their unique concerns,” said Dr. Patel-Dunn. “By collaborating with Gennev’s clinicians, we can more effectively care for the whole-person health of women experiencing menopause.”...

ADHD may be more commonly undiagnosed and untreated in women By Dr. Anisha Patel-Dunn, Chief Medical Officer, LifeStance Health As a mental health clinician, I’m deeply passionate about reducing the stigma around all mental health conditions and bringing awareness to the fact that there’s no one face to mental health. This is particularly true for ADHD, and with October marking ADHD Awareness Month, I believe this is an important opportunity to address misconceptions about the condition as well as how we can be advocates for those experiencing ADHD. While ADHD can affect anyone, I believe it’s particularly crucial to bring understanding to how the symptoms may go undiagnosed or even unnoticed among women, which can in turn lead to other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The Barriers to an ADHD Diagnosis...

People who menstruate often experience changes in mood and some physical symptoms in the days leading up to their periods. About 20 percent of people who menstruate experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which consists of mostly physical symptoms and mild mood changes. Approximately eight percent of people who menstruate experience premenstrual dysphoria disorder (PMDD) in the days leading up to their periods. This intense and emotional disorder is relatively common, yet it is highly misunderstood. Myths about PMDD can cause people to be misdiagnosed or never seek help at all. It’s important for everyone to help in busting myths about PMDD, even people who don’t menstruate. Myth: PMDD Isn’t Real PMDD is very real to the people...