- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Dr. Gabrielle Melin, board certified in general psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, is looking for ways to empower patients and families dealing with chronic mental illness. She encourages patients to commit to working together with their physicians and health care teams.
Dr. Melin completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. She completed both her psychiatry residency and consultation-liaison fellowship at Mayo Clinic before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 2001. She is medical director of Mayo Clinic Psychiatry Emergency Services in Rochester, Minn. She has special interests in emergency psychiatry, adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.
"Instilling hope is one of the most important things we can do for patients and families. Mental illness can be chronic and significantly impacts lives. Our goal is to provide the best treatment and education so that patients can manage their symptoms more effectively," she said.
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Depression blog
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Nov. 25, 2008
Depression and pregnancy
By Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
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Pregnancy is a joyous occasion. Pregnancy, though, does not protect women from experiencing mild to severe depression. Medication and/or therapy may be recommended.
Treating depression is always important and it can be successfully treated during and after pregnancy. Some antidepressant/antianxiety medications can be used safely throughout pregnancy and breast feeding.
Paxil (generic name Paroxetine) has been shown to cause cardiac malformations in the fetus and absolutely should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy. There is no evidence that children have harmful long-term effects as a result of their mother taking antidepressant medication during pregnancy.
No medication is 100 percent safe during pregnancy, but some are safer than others. Mood stabilizers generally are not safe during pregnancy. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, discuss this with your health care provider.
Untreated depression during pregnancy has been proven to lead to higher rates of:
- Lower birth weights
- Pre-term labor (depression doubles the risk)
- Increased use of alcohol and drugs to self-medicate
Please have a candid discussion with both your psychiatrist and OB-GYN regarding the benefits, risks and side effects of all medications. If you have been diagnosed with depression and are considering pregnancy, meet with your health providers before you get pregnant. This will provide peace of mind and help to make sure that you and your baby are both as healthy as possible.
Please share your experiences.
2 comments posted
August 25, 2009 9:54 a.m.
The large change in water levels during pregnancy suggests that hyponatremia may be the root cause of this depression. My personal experience has shown me how inept current psychiatric medicine is at detecting this condition. A high salt diet (10-15g/day providing hypertension doesn't become a problem) is probably all that is needed to overcome this depression.
- Greg
December 12, 2008 11:02 a.m.
I've had two wonderfully healthy babies and also two bouts of "the blues" as well. I found that activity and exercise is a great way to release (I used to have both girls in "tiny tots" gym - but I think I got the most out of it!) But I also found that working on my own self-empowerment and positive attitude through Jay Block's emotional channeling techniques was an almost instant response!
- Ellen
2 comments posted