Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.

Phychiatrist | Psychiatry

75 Mount Auburn St Cambridge MA, 02138 Show map

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Dr. Margaret McKenna is a psychiatrist practicing in Cambridge, MA. Dr. McKenna is a medical doctor specializing in the care of mental health patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. McKenna diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Dr. McKenna may treat patients through a variety of methods including medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy, psychosocial interventions and more, depending on each individual case. Different medications that a psychiatrist might prescribe include antidepressants, antipsychotic mediations, mood stabilizers, stimulants, sedatives and hypnotics. Dr. McKenna treats conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD and other mental illnesses.

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Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.

Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

I’m pretty sure I have a tic disorder?
Motor tics are not uncommon and are usually not so prominent that you need to do anything. When vocal tics are also present, you should be evaluated to see if you have Tourette's disorder. You don't have to go to a mental hospital, you are not mentally ill. You should talk to your pediatrician about having a neurological evaluation. Even if your mother is sitting in, you should bring up your concerns. READ MORE
How long should you be on antidepressants for anxiety?
Anxiety tends to be a chronic condition. If you have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and are finding that antidepressants are beneficial, you would most likely stay on them as a maintenance medication. Of course there are other approaches to managing anxiety which could complement or potentially replace medication. READ MORE
Why do I turn to food when I'm unhappy?
Many people use food as comfort or numbing. It sounds like a good idea for you to get some therapy to figure out what the specific connection is for you and to develop alternative ways of coping. READ MORE
Can mood stabilizers help with anxiety?
No. Anxiety can be managed with many techniques that do not require medication, and sometimes anti-anxiety medications are appropriate, but that is not mood stabilizers, which are meant for people with bipolar disorder. READ MORE
Which antidepressant should be avoided in the elderly?
As people age, they commonly have changes in their metabolism that mean they need lower doses of many medications than younger people do. This is true across the board. There is not just one antidepressant that should be avoided; usually the question is that of correct dosing. But the medical conditions a person has will also be important in choosing an antidepressant. A careful review of medications and symptoms by a competent psychiatrist is the way to choose an appropriate antidepressant and dosing regimen. READ MORE
About Tranxen?
Talk to your prescriber about this. READ MORE
Cerebrovascular disease and depression?
This question is far too complicated for this forum. You should see both headache specialist---headaches in themselves do not equal cerebrovascular disease--and a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, which may or may not be connected. READ MORE
Do SSRIs permanently change your brain?
No, SSRIs do not permanently change your brain. During the time you are taking them, they increase the amount of serotonin at the neuronal synapse. It is not actually understood what mechanism operates to make them (or any other antidepressants) effective against depression and anxiety. But none of these medicines cause permanent structural change. READ MORE
How do drugs affect cognitive testing results at the hospital?
Your father should never have been given cognitive tests an hour after his first (and problematic) exposure to lorazepam (Ativan). The drug can easily interfere with cognitive functioning even if no bad reaction. You should insist he be retested. READ MORE
Is it normal to feel exhausted after an anxiety attack?
Yes. During the attack, all your systems are on high alert —like flight or fight—-so it makes sense you’d be exhausted afterwards. READ MORE
Can a breakup cause a nervous breakdown?
I'm not sure what you mean by "nervous breakdown," but there is no question a break up can be very upsetting, especially if it's unexpected, or you feel very rejected or at sea. It could make it hard to function for a while. If that got to the point that you couldn't work or fulfill your daily responsibilities, you should seek professional help. READ MORE
When should I stop taking antidepressants?
It depends on whether the medicine was prescribed to treat an acute episode of clinical depression or to address more chronic symptoms. In the former case, the standard of care is to stay on the medication for 9-12 months and then do a slow taper, reassessing in case any symptoms re-emerge. In the latter, the medication is taken on an ongoing basis. It always makes sense to periodically reevaluate with your prescriber whether or not you still need the medication. READ MORE
Should I drink alcohol if I have anxiety?
It's common for people to drink in order to combat anxiety, especially social anxiety. Alcohol is disinhibiting, so does in fact offer some relief in social situations. Definitely not a good strategy for other kinds of anxiety. Important to identify what makes you anxious. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can often help. Some people benefit from medication, but of course that requires an evaluation by a competent clinician. READ MORE
What is the best mood stabilizer for anxiety?
Mood stabilizers are not used for anxiety. They are primarily for bipolar disorder. Medications for anxiety include SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Other techniques are very useful against anxiety, such as deep-breathing, CBT, visualization and relaxation training. READ MORE
Can stress and anxiety cause sleep problems?
Yes. Stress and anxiety are probably the leading causes of sleep problems. READ MORE
My aunt has random outbursts?
It's impossible to answer this question without knowing the context. It matters whether she has any history of outbursts like this when younger; whether she has any medical or mental illness; if she is alone and self-sufficient; what her cognitive function is like; what triggers the outbursts and how long they last; what helps them. There is no single cause of emotional outbursts. If she is fine cognitively, I'd talk with her about them and get a sense of how she understands what is going on. It's important to figure out if they are truly random, or if they actually are in response to certain events, either around her or in her thoughts/emotions. Ask questions to try to figure this out. READ MORE
Does anxiety and depression qualify for disability?
Not usually. They are treatable disorders, both with medication and psychotherapy. I could imagine a short-term disability leave for a very serious depression, or a hospitalization. READ MORE
What happens if you give antidepressants to someone with dementia?
It can sometimes be hard to distinguish dementia and depression in an older person. Major depression can make someone listless, impair their concentration, slow down their cognitive function. It is a crucial distinction to make, since there are many effective antidepressants and as yet no really effective medications against dementia. If a demented person is depressed (which can certainly occur), then they should be treated with an antidepressant; it could lift their mood and help them deal with such a challenging diagnosis. READ MORE
Can you maintain a relationship when you're overweight?
Of course you can. Probably the most important factor is that both you and your partner accept you for who you are, not what you look like. READ MORE
Where can I get diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
Any psychiatrist should be able to help you figure out if this is what you have. You need a careful and comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, both to help with diagnosis and to plan any treatment that is needed. Some hospitals have programs/clinics that specialize in bipolar disorder, so if you live near one of those, that is a good option. READ MORE