Dr. Laura Jean Seed

This is a common problem for women of child-bearing age. You need to discuss this both with your OB/GYN and with the doctor who is prescribing antidepressant medication. This best scenario is stopping anti-depressants completely prior to conception and during the 1st trimester, when the fetus is forming all of his/her major organs, inside your uterus. If your symptoms are intolerable off medication, then again discuss this with your doctors, both providers, as I mentioned above. Sign releases, so each can communicate with the other. The most widely recommended drug during pregnancy is zoloft (sertraline). It seems to be the safest, with least effects on the baby. I have had several patients take zoloft during her entire pregnancy and the baby arrived with no problems what-so-ever. But I always communicated with the OB/Gyn to make sure we were all aware of the medication the pregnant mom was taking. I have 3 grown daughters, so I have a special interest in helping women make it thru pregnancy safely for both mom & baby. Best wishes, and it is good you are thinking about this in advance!

Spend lots of time with him if you live nearby. Invite him to every social event you can think of. If you believe he is clinically depressed, recommend he seek professional help: a LMFT, LCSW or PhD psychologist. Offer to go with him, if he is reluctant to seek professional help. Offer to even make an appointment for him. (with his permission, of course). If the above professional believe your brother is clinically depressed he or she will recommend your brother see a psychiatrist for possible treatment with medication. Your brother is lucky you CARE about him. Many families don't care. Tell him you care about him & that you love him and want to help him feel better. That alone will make a huge difference for him.

Yes, definitely. If the school psychologist suggests an outside (private) professional arrange an appointment with a LMFT, LCSW or PHD psychologist. After sev"eral sessions if the above professional has concerns your son is clinically depressed, he or she will recommend you son be seen by a psychiatrist. Talk to your son, if you haven't already. Ask him what is bothering him. Dig if you have to. Ask specific questions--for example: "is there a teacher you don't like?". " Is anyone picking on you?". Are there any classes you enjoy, or particularly dislike? Are you tired of being in school?'" "Is there anything I can do as your parent to help you?" If your son is a teen, this is a difficult time for many youths, as they try to figure our their path in life. Especially boys may have a tendency to keep it all bottled up. Go see you regular primary care doc too. Get a thyroid test, and an EKG. Also a urine tox screen to make sure he is not using illicit drugs, which might have a huge effect and not be noticeable to you, the parent.

That is a very good question! I am not sure I can answer it. As a psychiatrist, I am prone to suggesting medication in your situation. You might try some vigorous exercise, running, aerobic exercise, bicycling at least 4X per week, esp. the week before you expect your menstrual cycle. If you are clinically depressed, meaning you cry, feel hopeless, feel life is not worth living, don't enjoy anything, then you should seek professional help: a LMFT, LCSW, Ph.D psychologist, or a psychiatrist. If you are NOT inclined to take medication, start with a non-psychiatrist. A "neutral" therapist can often be of great help and make suggestions, whereas a psychiatrist like myself, would be more likely to recommend medication (not always of course, but just more likely, as that is what we have been trained to focus on). Take care of yourself, don't ignore these problems or blame it it all menstruation issues.