UPMC research study on postpartum depression seeking local participants
Hermitage, PA - Mercer County area women interested in participating in a postpartum depression research study now have the option to do so without going far from home.
Womens Behavioral HealthCare of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, locally based at the Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon in Hermitage, is currently recruiting participants for a research study on treatment of depression after childbirth.
The study, which has screened more than 8,000 women since 2005, is conducted by Katherine L. Wisner, MD, MS, professor of psychiatry, obstetrics, and gynecology and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of Womens Behavioral HealthCare.
Postpartum depression affects one out of eight new mothers within a year of giving birth. Symptoms include loss of interest and energy, sleeping too much or too little, irritability, anxiety, feeling guilty or worthless, withdrawal from friends and family, eating too much or too little, crying, and thinking about hurting yourself or your baby.
Women between the ages of 18 and 40 who have given birth during the past three months and have had an episode of depression qualify for the study. Participation includes contact with a staff member, either over the telephone or in person at the Womancare Center, for up to eight weeks. After the first visit, participants will be randomly assigned to receive estrogen, and antidepressant, or a placebo. Compensation is available.
For more information about the research study, call 1-800-436-2461 or visit www.womensbehavioralhealth.org. Questions may also be directed to Laurie Joanow, research coordinator, at 724-699-2870.
Information on research studies available through UPMC Horizon can be found on the "Research" portion of the hospital web site.