Katie Unverferth, MD | Reproductive Psychiatrist

Hello and welcome! I’m Dr. Katie Unverferth, an expert in Reproductive Psychiatry and Women’s Mental Health. As the Director of the UCLA Women’s Life Center and the Medical Director of the UCLA Maternal Mental Health Program, I am passionate about sharing insights on complex conditions and making medical knowledge more accessible.   In my private practice in Santa Monica, I specialize in treating hormonally-mediated anxiety and depressive disorders, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), antenatal and postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and the premenstrual exacerbation of underlying mental health disorders. Other conditions I specialize in include mood disorders, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).   Follow along for expert tips and information and check the link in my bio for more details about my practice.

Postpartum depression is often an anxious depression, and intrusive thoughts are a common but rarely discussed part of the experience. Research suggests that nearly all new moms have intrusive thoughts about harm coming to their baby, and about half experience thoughts of causing harm themselves. These thoughts can be terrifying, especially for first-time moms, but they don’t mean anything about you as a parent. In my practice, I always screen for and normalize intrusive thoughts in the postpartum period— knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference. #postpartumdepression #maternalmentalhealth #reproductivepsychiatry #doctorsofinstagram #womensmentalhealth #mentalhealth #pmads #postpartumrage

Enjoyed a beautiful day with my family at the annual UCLA Women’s Life Center and Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program barbecue. Proud of the impactful work we do every day to support those facing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). #Family #WomensHealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthAwareness #PMADs #Motherhood #MaternalMentalHealth #SupportMoms

#paternalpostpartumdepression #paternalppd #pmads #postpartumdepression #maternalmentalhealth #womensmentalhealth

When one parent experiences postpartum depression (PPD), the risk of PPD in the other parent increases significantly—studies show rates as high as 25–50%. It’s critical to screen and treat both parents, as having at least one mentally healthy caregiver is protective for infant development. #paternalppd #paternalmentalhealth #parentsupport #womensmentalhealth #ppd #pmadsupport #postpartumdepression #pmads #maternalmentalhealth

Research funding for women and gender-diverse populations is being cut, and that should concern all of us. Women weren’t included in clinical trials until 1993. Even today, men outnumber women in research studies by more than 7 to 1. These gaps lead to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and inequities in care. We need research that reflects the full spectrum of our population. Now is not the time to scale back—it’s the time to push forward. #researchequity #womensmentalhealth #reproductivepsychiatry #womenshealth #healthdisparities #womenshealthmatters #fundscience #maternalmentalhealth

Pleased to be an @iapmdglobal recognized #PMDD provider. Women with PMDD deserve care from physicians who specialize in how hormones impact mood at all points of the menstrual cycle. If you or someone you know is struggling - reach out for help! The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders is a great resource. #reproductivepsychiatry #womensmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #doctorsofinstagram #mentalhealthmatters #pms #pmddawareness #mentalhealthmatters #pmddsupport

Anyone who has regular menstrual cycles knows that your mood can changed dramatically depending on where you are in your cycle. This excellent new paper does a deep dive into this, and gives hormonal clues as to what might be driving it. It’s essential knowledge for any woman! 📖 Peters, et al. Dimensional Affective Sensitivity to Hormones across the Menstrual Cycle (DASH-MC): A transdiagnostic framework for ovarian steroid influences on psychopathology. Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Jan;30(1):251-262 #menstrualcycle #menstrualhealth #estrogen #pmdd #pmddsupport #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #womensmentalhealth #reproductivepsychiatry #doctorsofinstagram #ovulation #depression

And that’s a wrap! Grateful to celebrate the end of the academic year with the incredible teams behind the @ucla Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program and the Women’s Life Center. #1: Celebrating a year well done with the Associate Director of the Women’s Life Center @brittanyboothmd #2: The amazing team that makes the Perinatal IOP possible—so proud of the work we do to support women navigating perinatal mental health challenges. #womensmentalhealth #perinatalmentalhealth #reproductivepsychiatry #postpartumdepression #maternalmentalhealth #psychiatry #womeninmedicine

Changing levels of hormones is what triggers symptoms in PMDD. By definition, the symptoms have to occur in the follicular phase, and remit in the luteal phase. This distinguishes PMDD from other disorders like major depression, OCD, and generalized anxiety disorder. Hormonal contraceptives, which play a while in treatment for PMDD, work by preventing ovulation and stabilizing hormone levels. #pmdd #pmddsupport #pmddawareness #maternalmentalhealth #hormones #hormoneimbalance #reproductivepsychiatry #doctorsofinstagram #perinatalmentalhealth

Women with PMDD have an abnormal response to normal levels of changing hormones. This is important, because there is not a role for hormone testing in PMDD. Unfortunately, women with PMDD likely have a biological sensitivity to changing levels of hormones that also predisposes them to postpartum depression and perimenopausal anxiety and depression. #pmdd #pmddawareness #doctorsofinstagram #reproductivepsychiatry #hormoneimbalance #hormonebalance #womensmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #pms #pmsproblems

PMDD symptoms show up during the luteal phase—the time between ovulation and the start of your period. Many people with PMDD describe feeling like a switch flips once their period begins, with symptoms lifting within a day or two. #pmddawareness #reproductivepsychiatry #womensmentalhealth #perinatalpsychiatry #mentalhealthmatters #pmddsupport #psychiatristsofinstagram #academicmedicine #hormonalhealth #pmddsymptoms #pmddhelp #pmddcycle