Center for Women's Mood Disorders

The UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders has a <a href="/psych/wmd/patient_care/perinatal-inpatient" class="external-link">5-bed inpatient unit</a> for women with moderate to severe postpartum depression (PPD) and perinatal mood disorders. Our unit is the first of its kind in the United States. We are pleased to announce new services! We are now offering evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of perinatal mood disorders. Click <a href="/psych/wmd/patient_care/psychotherapy-and-womens-mood-disorders-clinic" class="internal-link">here </a>for more information.

The UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders is directed by David Rubinow M.D., the Chair of the UNC Department of Psychiatry and an internationally known expert in the evaluation and treatment of women with mood disorders that occur during periods of hormonal change. Reproductive mood disorders include depression and anxiety disorders associated with the reproductive life cycle.

Outpatient Services

The UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders offers both clinical and research programs to address the needs of women with reproductive mood disorders.

Clinical Program

Clinical treatment includes assessment, consultation, psychotherapy and medication for women with mood disorders and hormonal disturbance. UNC physicians work with nurses, midwives, counselors and social workers in the community to help create the best plan for managing symptoms. For more information about our specialty clinics and services, visit Patient Care.

The Women’s Mood Disorder Center announces the opening of the Perimenopause Evaluation and Treatment Program. Women who suffer from mood symptoms during the years surrounding the “change of life” (menopause) are encouraged to call 919-445-0770 for a consultation.

Additional Clinic Location – opened September 2016!
Liz Cox, MD

The Perinatal Psychiatry Program is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Cox, MD, who is now seeing patients at Wake Med North in Raleigh. Dr. Cox is a graduate of the UNC Psychiatry Residency Program and has clinical expertise in treating women’s mood and anxiety disorders, as well as other psychiatric disorders, during time periods of hormonal fluctuation and change (pregnancy, postpartum, menstruation, menopause and infertility). For more information about our Wake Med North clinic or to book an appointment with Dr. Cox, please contact us.

Research Program

The research program is expanding to investigate specific areas of women’s reproductive mental health. Clinic patients who are interested can take part in research studies that are designed to investigate the biological basis of women’s reproductive mood disorders and to test new treatments. These studies will focus on a broad spectrum of reproductive psychiatric problems, including menstrually-related mood disorders such as PMS, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Perimenopausal Depression, as well as pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. For more information on studies you may qualify for, please visit the Research Studies page.

Inpatient Services

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit has been newly renovated to provide private, state of the art, specialty care for women suffering from severe perinatal psychiatric issues. The unit was newly renovated in June 2011 and is the first of its kind in the United States

Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit

Our treatment team is comprised of highly trained doctors, nurses, psychologists, midwives, social workers, and other therapists that work together to create individualized treatment plans. We providecomprehensive assessment and treatment, including medication stabilization and a vast range of individual and group therapies as appropriate. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment to assist in the recovery from perinatal psychiatric illness. For more information, please visit the Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit page.

Reproductive Mood Disorders