Women's Health Institute
During the course of a woman’s lifetime, there are hormonal and non-hormonal factors that can play a significant role in mood and well-being. Mind and Mood Support generally pertains to addressing mood disorders such as depression, mood swings and anxiety that can occur in women of all ages.
There are many health issues and life stressors that can cause mood disorders. In women, depression and other mood changes most frequently occur as a result of hormonal imbalance, or even as the result of natural changes that occur in various hormonal cycles such as menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, and perimenopause and menopause.
It’s important for women to realize that depression is a biochemical issue that results not from emotional weakness, but is often the result of a combination of psychological and physiological issues such as hormonal changes, life stressors, and underlying medical conditions.
Hoag offers a free Maternal Mental Health Support Line to help connect maternity patients and mental health providers in the community. The Support line is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The phone number is 949-764-5333. Note: this is not a crisis line. For emergencies please call 911.
Additionally, Hoag offers free weekly support groups facilitated by licensed therapists for women to talk openly about their experiences postpartum. The support groups are Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m, to 12 p.m. Both groups are located at 500 Superior Ave, Suite 315, Newport Beach, CA. Babies and support persons are welcome. With questions, please call Maternal the Mental Health Support Line at 949-764-5333.
Hoag developed a Maternal Mental Health Program with an outpatient clinic dedicated to helping women experiencing mental health conditions before, during and after pregnancy. The clinic is located at 500 Superior, Suite 315, Newport Beach and accepts most major insurance plans.
As many as 80% of women experience increased emotional sensitivity and mild-to-moderate mood shifts before their period starts. Called Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), these mood changes are generally manageable and do not cause disruption in a woman’s day-to-day life.
However, up to 10% of women experience Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is characterized by severe mood swings in the two-week period before menstruation starts. The symptoms of PMDD include: depression, anxiety and irritability, and may include physical symptoms such as migraine. PMDD generally subsides within three days of the onset of menstruation.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth can have a profound impact on mood. Approximately 10-20% of women experience depression during pregnancy, and studies show that women who have been treated for depression before pregnancy are more likely to experience depression during pregnancy. Depression is a serious medical condition that poses risks for both mother and baby. That’s why it’s important for women who have had a history of depression, or are taking antidepressants, speak with their physician prior to trying to conceive. The good news is, there are highly effective treatment options available to manage depression during pregnancy, including individual and group therapy or counseling, and in some cases anti-depressant medication.
Postpartum mood changes are common due to the significant hormonal changes that occur immediately following childbirth. In fact, approximately 80% of women experience the “baby blues” – a period of heightened emotional sensitivity and mild depression which occurs within the first 10 days after delivery and may last about 1-2 weeks.
However, for about 10-15% of women, these symptoms are more profound and persistent. This is referred to as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders ( PMAD), previously known as postpartum depression. PMAD was adopted to more accurately capture the types of conditions related to maternal mental health. This condition can occur within the first few weeks after childbirth and can persist up to one year or longer, if not treated. PMAD is characterized by moderate-to-severe mood changes that can interfere with a woman’s ability to handle day-to-day tasks, including caring for her infant.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) generally include:
Severe mood swings and intense irritability and anger
Overwhelming fatigue
Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Withdrawal from family and friends
Loss of interest in sex
Lack of joy in life
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
In some cases, PMAD is so severe that a woman may have thoughts of harming herself or her infant. In these cases, it is critical that a woman seek immediate medical attention.
Hoag Maternal Mental Health Program is dedicated to helping women experiencing mental health conditions before, during and after pregnancy. A collaboration between Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and Women’s Health Institute, our goal is to ensure healthy outcomes for both mothers and babies.
Our program includes an outpatient clinic where expectant and new moms with various mental health conditions can meet with a psychiatrist, licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed clinical social worker to receive the care they need or be connected to local resources.
Additionally, we offer the following services:
Pre-conception planning (women with existing mental health conditions or who are already taking medications and are planning to conceive)
Mental health assessment during pregnancy and post-partum
Individual and group psychotherapy
Medication Safety Evaluation during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Connection to local support services
Women who are currently pregnant, postpartum (up to one year) and women who are planning to conceive and desire a pre-conception medication safety evaluation can be referred to the outpatient clinic.
The clinic is located at Hoag for Her Center for Wellness at 500 Superior Ave., Suite 315, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
For scheduling and insurance eligibility, please call 949-764-8191. To learn more about the clinic or be connected to support services, please call our Maternal Mental Health Support Line Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 949-764-5333.
Hoag offers free support groups facilitated by licensed therapists for women to talk openly about their experiences, as well as a mindfulness class for pregnant and new moms. These ongoing support programs focus on teaching positive coping skills and providing support and education.
Support groups are held virtually. Babies and support persons are welcome. With questions, please call the Maternal Mental Health Support Line at 949-764-5333.
This free support line will help connect maternity patients to mental health providers (counselors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists) in the community. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression or anxiety and have a difficult time connecting with mental health resources, please call use directly for assistance. The support line is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and voicemails will be answered during those hours of operation. The phone number is 949-764-5333. If you need additional online resources please click here.
There is an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in perimenopausal and menopausal women due to declining estrogen levels and other hormonal changes that occur during this life phase. These changes can cause women to experience mild to severe mood swings, depression and anxiety.Hormonal changes can result in other mind and mood-related symptoms as well, such as anxiety, irritability, “brain fog” and lack of motivation. Insomnia is another common symptom in perimenopausal and menopausal women and can exacerbate irritability, mood swings, depression and anxiety.
In the case of depression, mild depressive episodes generally do not persist beyond a few weeks, nor does mild depression interfere with day-to-day function. Therefore, it’s important for a woman to see her physician when feelings of depression or anxiety are persistent. and she is experiencing any of the following symptoms in addition to depression/anxiety:
Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
Lack of interest in daily activities; lack of motivation
Withdrawal from friends/family
Loss of energy or slowed movement
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in appetite
Restlessness, agitation
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or inadequacy
Thoughts or ideas about suicide, even if in passing (seek immediate medical care)
There are many highly effective treatment options available for treating anxiety and depression in premenopausal and menopausal. The most common treatment options include:
Counseling, psychotherapy and support groups
Oral contraceptives
Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications
Lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating healthy
For more information about depression and anxiety, please speak with your physician, or click here to locate a Hoag-affiliated physician near you.