I'm really excited to share with you that the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry features a set of commentaries all focused on Perinatal Psychiatry.Read on, because there is a way that you can be a part ofan interestingdiscussion on the treatment of women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and I really want you to participate.
There are9 commentaries, plus an introduction by Marlene Freeman, MD.Each isa short read and not too full of medical jargon, so for those of you who aren't clinicians I'm pretty sure you will be able to understand what they're saying.(No multilayer perceptrons here.)If you're wondering what a commentary is: Rather than being a paper on the results of a specific piece of research that is published in a medical journal, commentaries are more like op-ed pieces. The writers provide their observations and opinions, citing the research that forms the basis of these ideas. Here's one of the titles to whet your appetite: "Influence of the Media on Women Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy" by Adrienne Einarson.
Here's the even cooler, interactivepart: The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has created an online, open forum for you to post comments and ask questions about each of them. Did you agree with what you read? Disagree? Do you have other ideas? Would you like clarification on something?
You can start posting your responses today in the forums, and later in the month the authors of the commenataries will offer responses to your comments and questions.
Anyone can participate; you don't have to be a doctor or in the psychiatric field. I would encourage allthe Warrior Moms out there to read these pieces and share your own opinionsor ask questions for clarification. (Just please be sure to be dignified and constructive if you disagree with something.) This is an important way to keep the lines of communication open between the medical field and the patient community. We don't always get to interact in this way so I really encourage you to take advantage of this. And of course the Journal would love to hear from my clinician readers as well!
It is free to participate but youwill need to register for a free account in order to do so. Just click on the link in the above paragraph. For each article you can click "full text with forum" and it will allow you to read the piece and comment. The first time you try to do it, you will be asked to join the Net Society Platinum. Fill out the form and you'll be on your way. (Note for the consumers who sign up: for medical school graduation year, I clicked N/A. For profession I clicked other mental health. Once you fill out the initial form and submit it,you will then be taken to a page asking you if you want to subscribe to theJournal. You don't have to. You can scroll down to the bottomto find your name and login. It may ask you one more time if you want to update your profile. Once you're done I'd suggest closing the window and using the link above again, logging in and commenting away.)
