Women and mental disorders

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"For too long, studies lumped women's mental health with that of men, notwithstanding profound differences. This work decisively addresses that oversight as a team of expert scholars and therapists...

"For too long, studies lumped women's mental health with that of men, notwithstanding profound differences. This work decisively addresses that oversight as a team of expert scholars and therapists spotlights common female mental disorders, explores the causes, and explains available therapies. Women in the United States are diagnosed with mental disorders at a far greater rate than men. Depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and eating disorders appear to disproportionately strike women, as obviously do such female-only conditions as postpartum psychosis. Is it just that women are more likely to seek care and have their disorders recognized, or do the statistics reflect deeper disparities? In the last two decades, feminist therapists and scholars have called for new models of mental health that value women and femininity. To that end, the four-volume Women and Mental Disorders brings together recent research and theory to explore its subject from a feminist perspective. This set treats every aspect of women's mental health, from diagnoses to treatment. Underlying the entire work is an awareness of varying cultural definitions of mental health and the importance of understanding a woman's cultural background if treatment is to be respectful and successful. Special attention is also paid to women who have been victims of violence, whether in intimate relationships, the workplace, or at school, and to how these experiences impact mental and physical health, self-concept, interpersonal relationships, and career development. Approaches to treating women with eating disorders, agoraphobia, anxiety and depression, PTSD, and personality disorders are covered as well. Finally, the set provides resources to help readers address their own needs or those of friends and family."--Publisher.

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