Episode #8
I Think I Have Postpartum Depression. Now What?
There is so much information available about postpartum depression that it can be hard to know where to begin. Reaching out for help can feel scary when you don't know where the conversation will lead. Finding a doctor or therapist, getting to appointments, and managing treatment can also be time-consuming, especially for new moms. In this episode, Dr. Ruta and Allie are joined by two renowned reproductive psychiatrists, Dr. Kristin Yeung Lasseter, MD, and Dr. Lee S. Cohen, MD, for a crash course in postpartum depression. What is it? How common is it? How is it diagnosed and treated? When should you ask for help? Together, they provide the context so you can focus on the most important steps toward wellness. Dr. Lasseter is a board-certified psychiatrist based in Austin, Texas, who specializes in reproductive psychiatry and women's mental health. She is the founder and president of Reproductive Psychiatry and Counseling, a practice that includes psychiatrists and psychotherapists specializing in mental health across the reproductive lifespan and serves patients throughout Texas. Dr. Lasseter is also affiliate faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Dell Medical School. She volunteers with Postpartum Support International's Psychiatric Consult Line and raises awareness about reproductive mental health through speaking engagements and social media. Dr. Cohen is the Director of The Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health and Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Philanthropy and Department Communications at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also the Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. After completing his residency and fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital, he became a national and international leader in women's mental health and was among the founders of the field of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry. His work spans research, teaching, and clinical care, with a focus on the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders and a special interest in psychiatric conditions associated with female reproductive function. These include psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period, depression in midlife women, and the relationship between infertility and mental health. Through his research, Dr. Cohen has helped shape the care of patients living with psychiatric illness. Resources : Follow Dr. Lasseter ( @the.reproductive.psychiatrist ) for evidence-based, easy-to-understand data on maternal mental health Explore the perinatal mood support groups from Postpartum Support International Read more about postpartum depression from Dr. Ruta’s blog Watch the More Than Blue documentary Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. The views, thoughts, and opinions shared today are the speakers’ own. **Trigger Warning** Postpartum depression, suicidal ideation Like What You Heard? Subscribe so you never miss an episode Leave us a review to share your feedback Learn more at sogladyouasked.org Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for show updates and bonus clips So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs is brought to you by the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation .
