First Trimester Pregnancy Use of Antidepressants
Pregnant mothers who have depression or are at the risk of depression are often concerned about the effects of antidepressants on their developing babies. A study published in late June (full abstract is included below) suggested that risks of 3 types of birth defects - craniosynostosis, omphalocele, or heart defects - were not significantly increased with SSRI use overall. However, there appeared to be a slight increase in risk in certain birth defects with certain types of antidepressants: paroxetine (brand name Paxil) and sertraline (brand name Zoloft) were two medications found to have associated increase in certain birth defects. The authors concluded that the absolute risk of birth defects due to antidepressant use during the first trimester of pregnancy is small. Read more
Mood Spectrum, Internet and College Students, Forgiveness, and Talk Therapy
Welcome to the July 4, 2007 edition of carnival of depression, bipolar disorder, and mental health journeys. Congratulations to those of you whose submissions were accepted to this edition - and thanks to the authors who took the time to submit an entry. Even though I may not be able to include all submissions to this edition, I appreciate your consideration and read each and every entry sent.
If you submit an article that summarizes studies or scientific research: Please include links to references and cite the actual studies so that readers who wish to look at the actual studies may read the original source. I tend to be very strict about citations and source references because 1) this helps me maintain integrity of health information shared on this website esp. given the HONcode accreditation, and 2) my scientific background has made me a stickler for going to original sources whenever possible to look at studies conducted and assumptions made.
I understood Barbara’s argument to teach forgiveness to parents instead of children so that children do not fall to the hands of abuse. However, reality is such that the very people who should learn forgiveness usually end up being the ones who need to be forgiven. In my personal experience, forgiving is letting go of a hatred that consumes and at the same time, letting go of self-loathing that came from “having something bad done to me” when I was a small child and unable to help myself. Read more