Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D., Phychiatrist
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Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.

Phychiatrist | Psychiatry

75 Mount Auburn St Cambridge MA, 02138
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About

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
  • Can you still get depressed while on antidepressants?

    Yes. On SSRIs like Prozac, there is a “poop out syndrome” where the medicine is no longer as effective. A dose increase often solves it. It’s also possible to have a breakthrough depression even on a medicine that’s been helping. This should be discussed with your prescriber. READ MORE

  • What antidepressants can be used during covid-19?

    All antidepressants can be used during COVID-19. READ MORE

  • Can I do virtual therapy for anxiety?

    Absolutely. All therapy right now is being done virtually, and while it is not quite as good as being in person, it is still effective. READ MORE

  • How do you talk to someone abusing drugs?

    It is great that you care. A very tough task. Best is to gather concerned family members and friends and confront him in an “intervention”. Seek professional help in preparing to do this so you can be most effective. READ MORE

  • What is the least sedating antidepressant?

    Each person responds uniquely, but in general Bupropion is rarely associated with sedation. M. McKenna READ MORE

  • Can I ask my doctor for anxiety medication?

    Of course. It may make sense to see a therapist as well. There are many strategies for managing anxiety. Medication is just one piece to it. READ MORE

  • Which antidepressants have the least side effects?

    All medications have potential side effects. Among antidepressants, the SSRIs (like Prozac or Zoloft) and Wellbutrin probably have the fewest side effects. But which one is right for you depends on your symptoms, your medical history, and other medications you may be taking. READ MORE

  • Can you recover from post traumatic stress disorder?

    Yes, you can, but you should see a therapist with special expertise in dealing with PTSD. Sometimes medication can play a role as well. READ MORE

  • What is the best medicine for stress?

    Before you think about medication, he needs to have a careful evaluation as to the cause(s) of his anxiety. He may just need to be able to talk some things through, or he could have a medical problem. The approach will also depend somewhat on whether he has a history of anxiety. Some of the medications used for anxiety are not appropriate for the elderly. READ MORE

  • How long can you stay on fluoxetine?

    How long you stay on fluoxetine depends on the course of your depression. If you have had only one episode of clinical depression, the standard of practice is to stay on the effective dose for nine months to a year and then gradually taper, being alert for any returning symptoms. If you have had multiple depressive episodes, it may make sense to be on maintenance flouxetine; it can be taken safely on a longterm basis as long as you tolerate it well. Sometimes people also take antidepressants for dysthymic disorder, a more chronic form of depression; in that case, treatment is also ongoing, READ MORE

  • Is cognitive behavioral therapy effective?

    CBT is an evidence-based treatment, meaning that it has been rigorously studied and proven to be effective. Those studies are of formal CBT treatment; many clinicians use elements of CBT, which is different. If you want CBT you should seek out a clinic or practitioner who is specifically trained in that treatment. It can be effective for depression, anxiety, bulimia, OCD. READ MORE

  • Does drinking water help anxiety?

    While staying hydrated is important for health, it does not help with anxiety. Exercise, on the other hand, does. READ MORE

  • How do I know if I have bipolar or borderline personality disorder?

    You need to have a careful psychiatric evaluation in order to see whether or not you have either diagnosis. What you have observed about yourself and your symptoms are very important to communicate. Together with the doctor, you should be able to figure it out. READ MORE

  • Can a bipolar person live without medication?

    Sometimes. It depends on how severe the mood swings are. Some people with more mild symptoms are able to control them with careful attention to sleep cycles and overall self-care. Psychotherapy can also be helpful in learning how to manage mood swings and understand triggers. But anyone with significant Bipolar disorder, especially Bipolar I, will usually need medication to be able to function at their best. Sometimes this is hard because people miss the "highs", or find an even mood "boring". But the highs and lows can both get terribly out of control. READ MORE

  • Is sertraline a strong antidepressant?

    You want an effective antidepressant, which I’m guessing you mean by “strong”. No antidepressants are effective for every patient. Overall, antidepressants help about 60% of the time, but it often takes trying more than one kind. Also be aware that all antidepressants take 4-6 weeks before you can really evaluate their effectiveness. READ MORE

  • How long does it take for cognitive behavioral therapy to work?

    A formal CBT program is time-limited, usually weekly sessions for about three months, with homework assigned in every session to help you practice and absorb the new skills you are learning. READ MORE

  • Are antidepressants addictive?

    Antidepressants are not addictive; a person does not develop tolerance and need to keep increasing the dose. These medications should, however, be tapered very slowly both to look for a recurrence of depressive symptoms and to avoid a discontinuation syndrome. For a first depressive episode, antidepressants if effective should be continued for 9 months to a year and then slowly tapered. READ MORE

  • How do you calm down anxiety?

    Have someone teach you the correct technique for deep breathing, which calms anxiety. Also, an evaluation would be helpful to see if you could benefit from either short-acting or ongoing medication. READ MORE

Dr. Margaret S. McKenna, M.D.'s Practice location

Practice At 75 Mount Auburn St

75 Mount Auburn St -
Cambridge, MA 02138
Get Direction
New patients: 617-547-8900

384 Caterina Hts -
Concord, MA 01742
Get Direction
New patients: 617-945-2290

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