Michael O'Hara

Depression is the leading cause of lost years of healthy life in women around the world. Once considered to be a disorder of late middle age, depression now has become a disorder of adolescence and early adult life. This period of risk coincides with the prime childbearing years for women. Depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period complicates a woman's adjustment to pregnancy and early motherhood and has important consequences for both fetal and early childhood development and family relationships. Professor O'Hara will provide an overview of what is known about the causes, consequences, and treatments of postpartum depression and depression during pregnancy.

Department of Psychology and Associate Dean for Research and Development