Dr. Nancy Byatt Discusses the Importance of Maternal Mental Health
Date Posted: Monday, January 30, 2023
In light of the recent deaths of three Duxbury, MA, children, Dr. Nancy Byatt discusses the importance of maternal mental health.
One in 5 women experiences a mental health or substance use disorder during their pregnancy or in the first year of postpartum. In rare cases — about 1 or 2 out of every 1,000 postpartum women – this depression can progress to psychosis, in which a woman’s brain is “hijacked by a really, really serious illness that distorts reality” and prompts actions they would never take if healthy said Dr. Nancy Byatt, during an interview with The Boston Globe.
"Sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to find the medication that works and, unfortunately, that's quite common.", "Because then you can have intensive treatment in a safe setting where the meds can really be monitored closely," Dr. Byatt told NBC 10 Boston speaking in general terms, not to the specifics of the Clancy case.
“People when they are pregnant or postpartum often think, ‘well, I’m going to ignore my needs because it’s best for my baby.’ It’s not. The best thing they can do for themselves for their baby is to get the treatment that they need and that often includes medication treatment, including SSRI’s,” Dr. Byatt said to Boston Channel 25 News.
In her live interview with Boston Channel 25 News, Dr. Byatt offers guidance on how to talk to teens about mental illness, the warning signs to look for with someone who may be experiencing mental health illness, and ways to cope with tragedy and trauma, that have recently been covered by the media.
The Blue Dot Project, is the national symbol for maternal mental health survivor-ship, support, and solidarity. "We may have the pink ribbon for cancer awareness. Having a blue dot for mental health really it's a symbolic action having mental health on par with physical health." Dr. Byatt told WCVB Boston Channel 5.
Additional Articles where Dr. Nancy Byatt is quoted:
- Moms, experts say first postpartum depression pill could be a game changer | WBUR
- Mass. bill could help postpartum defendants like Lindsay Clancy get therapy, not jail time | Masslive
- Family expressed concern about mother’s medication before prosecutor says she killed three children | WBUR
- SSRI anti-depressants under scrutiny in wake of Lindsay Clancy case | Boston 25 News
- Lindsay Clancy tragedy highlights mental health stigma, barriers to support | Masslive
- What is postpartum psychosis? Psychologist explains pregnancy-related mental illnesses | Live interview with GBH
- Deaths of Duxbury children push postpartum depression and mental health to forefront | yahoo.com
- Local doctor encourages mothers struggling with mental health to seek help | Spectrum News 1
- Deaths of Duxbury children push postpartum depression and mental health to the forefront | USA TODAY Network (Metrowest Daily News, Patriot Ledger, The Enterprise, and Cape Code Times)
- Did postpartum depression lead Lindsay Clancy to kill her children? Experts weigh in on tragic deaths | MEAWW
- How Could a Mother Be Accused of Killing Her Kids? Experts Say Mental Health Can Make It Hard to Think Straight | lakecountyfloridanews.com
Dr. Byatt is a perinatal psychiatrist with the 
