As women, we know how important it is to take charge of our health care-to be informed and proactive. But too often we forget that our mental wellness is an integral part of our overall health. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women is the definitive resource for women looking for answers to their mental health questions, whether those questions concern a disorder like depression or adjusting to major life changes like motherhood or divorce. Drawing on the latest thinking in psychiatry and psychology, written for women of diverse backgrounds, The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women begins with Part One, the life cycle, helping women understand the major issues and biological changes associated with young adulthood, middle age, and old age. Specific entries address the psychological importance of women's sexuality, relationships, motherhood, childlessness, trauma, and illness and discuss how social contexts, such as poverty and racism, inevitably affect mental health. Part Two explores specific mental disorders, including those, like postpartum depression, related to times when women are particularly vulnerable to mental illness. Part Three takes a closer look at biological treatments-including the use of antidepressants, and various types of psychotherapy-from cognitive behavioral treatments to EMDR and beyond. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women ends with a section on life enhancements-because the activities that help us live fuller, more vital lives are also essential to our mental health. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women * Draws on the knowledge and practical experience of more than fifty psychologists and psychiatrists * Helps women think through the psychological challenges inherent in the life cycle, from young adulthood through old age * Focuses on key life issues, from sexuality and relationships to trauma and racism * Provides important information on mental disorders, their biological treatments, and psychotherapeutic interventions * Includes a comprehensive list of psychotropic medications, targeted reading suggestions, crucial online resources, and support groups The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women covers what every woman should know about: * Aging. What should I expect from menopause? What do I need to know about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy? * Pregnancy. How will becoming a mother change me? How do I overcome postpartum depression? * Childlessness. What if I don't want to be a mother? * Sexuality. Is a "female Viagra" the solution to women's sexual complaints? How does societal ambivalence about women's sexuality affect me? * Body Image and Eating Disorders. Are all eating disorders a reaction to societal pressures to be thin? * Polypharmacy. Why are some patients prescribed more than one type of psychotropic drug? Is this overmedicating? * Finding a Psychotherapist. How do I know if a therapist is right for me? And how do I know what type of therapy I need? * Anger. Why is it the most difficult emotion for many women to express? * EMDR. What exactly is EMDR? Is it a reputable therapy? * Depression and Anxiety. What do I need to know about psychopharmaceuticals? Does talk therapy help? * Complementary Treatments for Depression and Anxiety. Does St. John's Wort really work? What else might help?

The Oxford Textbook of Women and Mental Health brings a balanced understanding of different aspects of gender and mental health. Exploring issues covering psychological, social, and cultural aspects of mental health problems, it looks at epidemiological data that shows increased frequency in different clinical aspects of many psychiatric disorders, the biological and endocrinological concomitants of mental health, and eating disorders, perinatal psychiatric disorders, and the long term effects of abuse - helping readers to appreciate the societal, parental, and personal consequences of mental health problems. Part one is dedicated to fundamental aspects in women's mental health. It covers topics from women's health as a global issue to different medical psychological theories, giving an overview of gender in mental health. The second examines clinical aspects of women and mental health. In part three, special clinical topics such as PTSD, self-harm, menopause, violence and its management are investigated. Part four focuses on parental psychiatric disorders, clarifying how mental health and behavioural problems in children can be a marker or consequence of maternal distress. The final two parts look at the topics of women and disability, and legislation and policy. A book of exceptional scope and depth, it will be essential for all those health professionals involved in managing mental health problems in women

There is an increasing focus on medical studies related to differences between men and women, and women’s mental health stands out as one of the most important fields where sex-based differences are being investigated. Overall, studies show an existence of important sex-specific differences in several aspects of psychiatric disorders such as etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation and therapeutics. In this book, recognized experts present the current state of knowledge on this topic, providing a reliable, accurate and comprehensive clinical guide to women's mental health. The book will steer clear of an in-depth discussion of genetics and sex-based differences to focus quickly and narrowly on how best to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders in women, thereby offering a targeted and practical guide for clinicians. It is intended to serve a broad audience -- including psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, social workers and other medical and mental health providers with an interest in women's mental health. Women's Mental Health: A Clinical and Evidence-Based Guide will be fully evidence-based and will present chapters authored by distinguished leaders with extensive experience and clinical wisdom in this area. It offers psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, social workers and other medical and mental health providers a valuable source of information to enhance their clinical practice.

Women's Mental Health: A Life-Cycle Approach brings together the latest research and clinical information on the wide variety of psychiatric problems that affect women in unique ways. The book is organized around the female life cycle—childhood, adolescence, adulthood, reproduction, and aging—and addresses specific disorders as they present at each stage. Chapters examine the biological, hormonal, and psychosocial foundations of female psychiatric disorders at each life-cycle stage and offer a framework for thinking about clinical problems. Expert commentaries are included to expand on key issues and provide an insightful overview of each life-cycle stage. The international group of contributors ensures complete coverage of cross-cultural issues. Concluding chapters discuss mental health services for women worldwide.

This book discusses psychiatric disorders among women in a manner that is relevant to clinical practice and keep cultural and social realities in perspective. The book is important in the face of rapidly changing conditions globally (including better education and more opportunities for work for women); challenges such as migration, war and violence and emerging areas such as newer reproductive technologies, Women's mental health cannot be divorced from social and cultural realities and while the book emphasises these areas, it also gives due importance to the current advances in neurobiology and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders among women. Chapters in the book are written by multiple authors, many of the chapters use the life stage approach, and have been written by authors from different parts of the world to ensure cultural relevance and diverse viewpoints.

This comprehensive reference and text synthesizes a vast body of clinically useful knowledge about women's mental health and health care. Coverage includes women's psychobiology across the life span--sex differences in neurobiology and psychopharmacology and psychiatric aspects of the reproductive cycle--as well as gender-related issues in assessment and treatment of frequently encountered psychiatric disorders. Current findings are presented on sex differences in epidemiology, risk factors, presenting symptoms, treatment options and outcomes, and more. Also addressed are mental health consultation to other medical specialties, developmental and sociocultural considerations in service delivery, and research methodology and health policy concerns.

Contemporary Topics in Women’s Mental Health: Global Perspectives in a Changing Society considers both the mental health and psychiatric disorders of women in relation to global social change. The book addresses the current themes in psychiatric disorders among women: reproduction and mental health, service delivery and ethics, impact of violence, disasters and migration, women’s mental health promotion and social policy, and concludes each section with a commentary discussing important themes emerging from each chapter. Psychiatrists, sociologists and students of women’s studies will all benefit from this textbook. With a Foreword by Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London; Chair, Commission on Social Determinants of Health