Directors:
Jennifer L. Payne, M.D. (right)
Karen L. Swartz, M.D. (left)
Junior Faculty:
Patricia Roy, M.D.
Jennifer Meuchel, M.D.
Jennifer Teitelbaum Palmer, M.D.Johns Hopkins University
550 N. Broadway, Suite 308
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone 410-502-7449 / Fax 410-502-3755
E-mail: WMDC@jhmi.eduMonday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM
DRIVING DIRECTIONS to The Johns Hopkins Hospital
HOSPITAL CAMPUS MAP
OVERVIEW
Major depression is nearly twice as common in women as in men, with a lifetime occurrence of the illness as high as 21 percent in women compared with 12.7 percent in men. Although bipolar disorder is equally common in men and women (affecting about 1 percent of both over a lifetime), bipolar depressive episodes occur more often in women. Moreover, research suggests that, at least in some women, reproductive-related hormonal changes help raise the risk of depressive episodes.
While menstruation, pregnancy and menopause do not, by themselves, appear to increase the risk of a mood disorder, women with mood illness have a greater chance of relapse if they’re untreated at these times.
The Women’s Mood Disorders Center was established to study these problems and provide expert evaluation of women who suffer their symptoms.
Hormonally-triggered mood disorders are common and treatable medical illnesses.
SYMPTOMS OF HORMONALLY-TRIGGERED MOOD DISORDERS
- Irritability or tension
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Change in appetite or weight
- Changes in sexual interest
- Food cravings or overeating
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Decreased concentration
- Increased productivity or interest in new projects
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in energy level
- Mood changes (sadness or elevated mood)
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Racing thoughts/rapid speech
SERVICES OFFERED
Consultations: Evaluations can be requested by either the patient or treating physician. We offer evaluations for women suffering from mood disorders, with a special emphasis on the treatment of hormonally-triggered mood disorders, including premenstrual, postpartum, and perimenopausal mood disorders. Our clinical team will provide the best in effective treatment recommendations using the findings of research on these hormonally-triggered mood disorders.
-Pre-pregnancy Consultation
-Pregnancy Consultation
-Postpartum Consultation
-Menstrual Cycle Symptom Consultation
-Peri-menopause Consultation
The evaluation consists of a clinical interview lasting from two to three hours. Consultations with junior faculty consist of a junior faculty member obtaining the full psychiatric history before presenting to the consultation director, followed by treatment recommendations and evaluations made as a team with the patient.
Junior faculty members include: Jennifer Meuchel, M.D., Jennifer Teitelbaum Palmer, M.D. & Patricia Roy, M.D.
Director consults are with Jennifer Payne, M.D.
Appointments with Karen Swartz, M.D. are made through the Adult Mood Disorders Consultation Clinic. 410-955-5212.
Follow-Up: The Center offers limited follow-up for interested women during pregnancy and for up to three months postpartum.
Research: There are various opportunities for women to participate in research studies currently being conducted through the Women’s Mood Disorder Center and through the more general Mood Disorders Program.
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
To schedule an appointment and obtain fee information, please call 410.502.7449 to speak with the clinic coordinator Elaine Martin.
Patients who are interested in being evaluated should contact the Women’s Mood Disorders Center directly at 410-502-7449 in order to schedule an appointment and obtain fee information.
Specific recommendations will be reported to both the patient’s treating psychiatrist and patient’s the obstetrician (if seeking a pregnancy consultation). If desired, patients can choose to be followed by Center staff during the pregnancy and for up to three months postpartum.
PREPARING FOR YOUR CONSULTATION
SENDING MEDICAL RECORDS
While medical records are not required in order to be seen for a consultation, the quality of the consultation will be greatly enhanced by having a complete set of your psychiatric records. We request that you send any psychiatric records prior to the consultation.
Medical records should include:
1) a treatment summary letter from the current psychiatrist (or obstetrician), including the reason for the consult,
2) discharge summaries from inpatient hospitalizations, and
3) any other medical records such as laboratory results or letters from therapists that may be helpful for the evaluation.
Please have your records faxed to (410) 502-3755 ATTN: Women’s Mood Disorders Center.
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE APPOINTMENT
We strongly encourage patients to bring a family member or close friend who can offer his or her perspective on the patient's condition. The family members provide important insight into the patient's history that the patient might not be able to recount on her own. It is common for ill patients to have difficulty with memory during bouts of the illness and the family members can help fill in the blanks. Through involvement in the evaluation, family members will better understand the patient's illness and can become an integral part of the treatment plans.
INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS: Please contact the Johns Hopkins Medicine International Office: 410.955.8032
ASSISTANCE WITH TRAVEL ACCOMODATIONS: Please contact the Hopkins Travel Office: 800.225.2201
INSURANCE
You are responsible for contacting your insurance company in order to obtain any necessary authorization for this appointment. The Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences contracts with many but not all insurance companies. Therefore, you should personally verify your mental health benefits, in particular, a one-time outpatient psychiatry visit. For patients who have insurance from companies with whom we do not have a contract, we require payment in full at the time of visit. Click here for additional billing information.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Because there is such a long waiting list, we require at least two working days notice for rescheduling. For example, if your appointment is on Friday, we require that you notify us on Tuesday to allow Wednesday and Thursday for that appointment to be filled. If adequate notice is not given, a fee of $150 will be charged. If you do not give any notice for a cancellation, a fee of $250 will be billed directly to you.
