Johns Hopkins Medicine - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences CLINICAL SERVICES   Mood Disorders Program WOMEN'S MOOD DISORDERS CENTER   Directors:  Jennifer L. Payne, M.D. (right) Karen L. Swartz, M.D. (left) Service Faculty:  Susan W. Lehmann, M.D. Milena Hruby Smith, M.D., Ph.D. Psychiatric Fellows:  Emily Bost-Baxter, M.D. Jennifer Teitelbaum Palmer, M.D. The Johns Hopkins Hospital Meyer Building, Room 3-181 600 North Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21287 Phone 410-502-7449 / Fax 410-955-0152 E-mail: WomensMood@jhmi.edu Operating Hours:  Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM

OVERVIEW

Major depression is nearly twice as common in women as in men, with a lifetime prevalence 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, reproduction-related hormonal changes 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 disorders and provide expert evaluation of women who suffer from them.

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

Evaluations
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.

The evaluation consists of a clinical interview lasting from two to three hours. Two types of evaluations are offered: a consultation with one of the Center directors; and a consultation with one of our residents or fellows. In the latter type of consultation, a resident or fellow obtains the full psychiatric history and examination from the patient and presents the results to a Center director. The director and the resident or fellow then meet with the patient to discuss treatment recommendations.

Follow-Up
The Center will also offer limited follow-up for interested women during pregnancy and for up to six 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 a member of our staff:

Anne Chewning, Clinic Coordinator
Tessa Ring, Clinic Assistant

Prior to the appointment, a clinician will contact the patient by telephone to collect a brief reproductive history. Based upon the responses to these questions, the patient will be mailed the appropriate women’s mood symptoms questionnaires. These questionnaires must be completed by the patient prior to the consultation and brought with them to the consultation appointment. Specific recommendations will be reported to both the patient's treating psychiatrist and the patient's obstetrician. If desired, patients can choose to be followed by Center staff during the pregnancy and for up to six 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. There will not be time on the day of your evaluation to thoroughly review them. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to send your records, if available, prior to the evaluation. 

Medical records should include: 

1) a treatment summary letter from the current psychiatrist, 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) 955-0152. 

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. Family members often provide important insights 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

APPROXIMATE WAITING PERIOD FOR AN APPOINTMENT

On average, the waiting period for an appointment is four to six weeks to see one of the Center directors, and two to four weeks to see one of our residents or fellows.

INSURANCE

You are responsible for contacting your insurance company in order to obtain any necessary authorization for this appointment. The Johns Hopkins University 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.