WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

From your first menstrual cycle to menopause, the hormonal changes that take place during the reproductive years can trigger symptoms which can be disruptive to a happy and productive lifestyle. If you feel severe mood swings, psychiatric conditions, postpartum feelings of depression, anxiety, or emotional difficulties, we are here to help.

Existing psychiatric disorders such as Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia, may also develop or worsen during pregnancy and postpartum. Taking medication for these disorders should be closely monitored during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

We are dedicated to helping you feel your best through understanding and improving women’s mental health issues related to women. Emotional and mental illness can impact your children and families, so we offer specialized and expert care to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders to keep you feeling your best.

Pre-pregnancy Planning

We can conduct a full evaluation of your mental health and medications prior to conception to help you develop a plan to manage any existing psychiatric conditions during pregnancy.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body completely changes. For some women, this exciting time may be one of vulnerability, depression, and psychiatric relapse. If you have already been treated for a psychiatric disorder or feel that you are at risk for developing one, we can help with diagnosis and women’s mental health treatment both during and after your pregnancy.

START ENJOYING MOTHERHOOD

Taking care of your baby means taking care of yourself. We understand how difficult it is to take care of a newborn with little or no sleep and the daily tasks of being a woman and a mother. Feeling depressed or overwhelmed is very common among mothers, and we offer professional help that is available to you whenever you need it. If left untreated, mood swings may develop into more severe psychiatric disorders which may have serious implications for yourself, your children, and your family. Prompt treatment will reduce the risks of complications, self-medication issues, or chronic and relapsing mental illness.

Psychiatric Medication Management: Medication changes may be necessary during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We research the latest scientific information to effectively manage the effects of medication on women and their babies.

Check out LactMed® database

LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. LactMed

Post-Partum

FOR A HAPPY PREGNANCY

The early period after giving birth is when many women experience “baby blues.” Between 10 and 20 percent of women become clinically depressed during this time, but many go undiagnosed. You may worry that you are not doing a good enough job in caring for your baby, or you may experience an abnormal amount of anxiety. These symptoms can worsen and should be managed to help you to return to a happy and productive life. For extreme post-partum cases, where a mother may be losing touch with reality, and may stop taking care of her baby, immediate treatment is essential.

Breastfeeding while taking psychiatric medications is another area of specialty within Reproductive Psychiatry. A psychiatrist can review the data that are available regarding breastfeeding and psychotropic medications and help a woman make informed decisions regarding what is safest for her and her baby.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

For most women, minor physical and emotional symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) are common. This may include irritability, depressed mood, tender breast and difficulty concentrating, but when these symptoms become severe, it may be a sign of a syndrome called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD can have a significant impact on your social life, your family, and your job. Counseling and medication may help reduce or eliminate the symptoms. In some cases, premenstrual mood changes may actually be a symptom of an underlying mood disorder. The symptoms must be evaluated prospectively in order to make the proper diagnosis and ensure proper treatment.

Menopause

LIVE A FULFILLING LIFE

Menopause marks another transition period within a woman’s life characterized by physical and emotional symptoms. From extreme hot flashes to an increase in anxiety or depression, menopause symptoms can greatly impair a woman’s life if left untreated. During the perimenopause, there is an increased risk for developing depression, even among women with no prior history. Women who are surgically menopausal (e.g. following removal of the ovaries), are at increased risk for depression. We can provide diagnostic and treatment advice for any individual to help with this transition.

At Adroita Center for Clinical Psychiatric Neuroscience, we offer psychiatric consultation and women’s mental health treatment plans to help you and your family manage any complications or issues that life brings so you can get back to enjoying the things you love most.

Dr. Pandian has been certified as a Clinical Psychopharmacologist by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. The ASCP which was founded in 1992 to advance the science and practice of clinical psychopharmacology.

What is Psychopharmacology?

Psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental health illnesses or behavioral disorders. A person who is specialized in clinical psychopharmacology is referred to as a clinical psychopharmacologist. Clinical psychopharmacologists have better understanding on certain scientific principles like – what the body does to medication (pharmacokinetics) and what medication does to the body (pharmacodynamics).