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Frequently Asked Questions : Research Research | About Postpartum Depression  Q. What are your current research studies and what makes me eligible to participate? A. Please see the study section of this website for detailed information.
Q. Why should I participate in your research study? A. Our studies offer women the chance to learn more about mood disorders, to take advantage of newer treatments that are not widely available, and to be monitored closely during therapy. Depression can affect anyone, and about 10% women become depressed during pregnancy. About 15% of women suffer from postpartum depression.
Q. What are the benefits for participating in the research study? A. Besides helping us to better understand depression during pregnancy and postpartum, you will be helping yourself and your baby. You will receive consultation and evaluation from a nationally known expert in the field, Katherine L. Wisner, M.D, M.S. Also, in some of our studies, your baby's development is followed, which will provide you with an abundance of information about your growing baby. The other study benefits include providing you with possible treatments to help you live life to the fullest and being compensated for your time and effort.
Q. Do I (or does my insurance) have to pay for anything pertaining to my participation in the study? A. No! You or your insurance will not be billed or charged for any service you receive pertaining to participation in this research study. However, once your participation in the study ends, or if you seek any treatment outside the study, your insurance provider will be billed by those service providers. These issues are detailed in the consent forms which our staff go over in detail before you enter each study.
Q. Who will know I am involved in the research study? A. Only the principal investigator and her research staff will know you are involved in the study. Your name will not be placed on any questionnaires or interviews. Most of our assessments are computerized and identify you by a number that is given to you at the beginning of the study. Your consent form and any other identifying forms are kept in a separate, locked file cabinet, which only the research staff only has access to. You decide who you will tell among your family and friends.
Q. Will my participation help other women who have depression during pregnancy or postpartum depression? A. Your participation will help women in the future by helping us understand depression more and also by helping us decide which therapies are most effective for its treatment. For example, in the mid-1980's, Dr. Wisner started research to evaluate the amount of antidepressant which occurs in the breastfed baby's blood when the mother is treated. We now have a literature of hundreds of such mother and baby serum levels of most antidepressants upon which to make decisions about taking medication and breastfeeding. We owe thanks to all these women who have participated in previous research.
Q. How much time will the study take? A. The time spent in each study differs. The initial evaluation is about 3 hours. Follow up visits are usually less than an hour. For more information please call (800) 436-2461.
Q. Is childcare provided? A. Yes! Childcare is provided by one of our Research Associates or other staff members. The childproofed waiting room has a child play area with toys, games and books. All of our staff has Act 33/34 clearances, which are available upon request. All of the research staff is also certified in adult, child and infant CPR.
Q. Do you provide parking/transportation reimbursement? A. Yes! We provide free parking below our building, which is located on McKee Place. Please see the map provided on the website. We may also be able to provide bus tickets and cab fare- call us!
Q. What will I have to do at each visit to the study site? A. Each study visit differs slightly. At most interviews you will be asked a variety of questions pertaining to your past and present mental health status. You will need to have several blood draws throughout the study, and will also need to answer a few questionnaires. Your baby will also be tested for their development and certain child measures will be conducted. Any questions you have can be answered by calling our study number at (800) 436-2461.
Q. If I don't want to take any medication are there other treatment options offered? A. Yes! Some of our studies are observational; that is, the woman is free to take whatever therapy she wants for depression, and we are interested in seeing what happens in the "real world." Many of our studies provide different treatment options for women who are either pregnant or just had a baby. Treatments include antidepressant medication and bright light therapy. We are working to add nutritional therapies and acupuncture in the futures. Psychotherapy is also known to help with depression, but is not provided in our program. However, we work closely with colleagues who study psychotherapy and a referral can easily be made for you. New therapies will be added to the program as they are found to be effective.
Q. What if I decide I don't want to be in the study anymore? A. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time. All we ask is that we either talk to you personally or receive a letter clarifying to us that you do not want to participate any longer. We will also ask you a few brief questions about why you decided to withdraw.
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