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In all the recent hype on the “overprescribing” of psychiatric medications, there is a circulating rumor antidepressant use in the mother during pregnancy has could be linked to an autism diagnosis in the child. Thankfully, there is research on this topic, and the results are clear: antidepressant exposure during pregnancy does not cause autism in children. Where would this idea come from? Early studies did show a weak link, but the association arises because there is a genetic link between having a psychiatric disorder like anxiety and stress and autism. Don’t stop taking your meds unless you discuss it with your doctor. References below:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42134364