Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Perinatal Anxiety

Launched by ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTHCARE HAMILTON · Jul 27, 2016

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Anxiety disorders affect up to 15% of women in the perinatal period (i.e., pregnancy, postpartum) and are a serious mental health concern. Anxiety disorders often coexist with depression and result in high distress and an impaired ability for new mothers to take care of themselves and their babies. In spite of the high prevalence of anxiety disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, research and clinical attention in this area is lacking and no empirically supported psychological treatments exist. Further, since many pregnant or postpartum women are unable or choose not to take medication f...

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Eligibility criteria:
• • 1. 18-45 years of age
• • 2. pregnant or within the first six months postpartum
• • 3. principal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder with or without comorbid depression
• • 4. not taking psychoactive medication or, if taking these medications, no change in dose and type ≥ 6 weeks prior to the baseline assessment
• • 5. no changes in psychoactive medication during the 6-week CBT treatment or 6-week waitlist
• • 6. fluent in English
• Exclusion criteria:
• • 1. severe depression or active suicidal ideation
• • 2. current psychosis or substance use disorder