Women’s Mental Health

Susan G. Kornstein, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center, where she serves as Director of Clinical Research for the Department of Psychiatry. She is also Executive Director of the VCU Mood Disorders Institute and Executive Director of the VCU Institute for Women's Health, which has been designated a National Center of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Kornstein has written or cowritten more than 100 articles, chapters, and abstracts, and has been a principal investigator on over 30 research studies in the areas of depression, anxiety disorders, and premenstrual syndrome. She is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the American College of Psychiatrists. Anita H. Clayton, MD, is Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she serves as the Medical Director of the Center for Psychiatric Clinical Research. She has published numerous journal articles and abstracts, as well as a coauthored book on relationships and depression, and has served as principal investigator on many research grants. Dr. Clayton's clinical and research interests include mood and anxiety disorders associated with reproductive life events in women, and sexual dysfunction related to illness and medication use. She is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

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.

Part I: Women's Psychobiology and Reproductive Life Cycle. Young, Korszun, Altemus, Sex Differences in Neuroendocrine and Neurotransmitter Systems. Brawman-Mintzer, Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology. Steiner, Born, Psychiatric Aspects of the Menstrual Cycle. Nonacs, Viguera, Cohen, Psychiatric Aspects of Pregnancy. Arnold, Baugh, Fisher, Brown, Stowe, Psychiatric Aspects of the Postpartum Period. Warnock, Blake, Psychiatric Aspects of Hormonal Contraception. Ayubi-Moak, Parry, Psychiatric Aspects of Menopause. Part II: Assessment and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Women. Kornstein, Wojcik, Depression. Freeman, Arnold, McElroy, Bipolar Disorder. Gearon, Rachbeisel, Schizophrenia. Pigott, Anxiety Disorders. Canterbury, Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse. Powers, Eating Disorders. Clayton, Sexual Dysfunction. Manber, Colrain, Lee, Sleep Disorders. Phillips, Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Gleason, Yates, Somatoform Disorders. Hensley, Nurnberg, Personality Disorders. Monti, Stoner, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Part III: Psychiatric Consultation in Women. Dell, Gynecology. Chen, Kunkel, Oncology: Women with Breast, Gynecologic, or Lung Cancer. Staropoli, Skotzko, Rheumatological Diseases. Brasch, MacQueen, Joffe, Endocrine Disorders. Hansen, Cardiovascular Disease. Wise, Crone, Gastrointestinal Disorders. Herbert, Bachanas, HIV/AIDS. Field, Brackin, Neurological Disorders of Increased Prevalence in Women: Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer's Disease. Sarwer, Pertschuk, Cosmetic Surgery. Part IV: Sociocultural Issues for Women. Casey, Developmental Perspectives on Gender. Lasswell, Marriage and Family. Shrier, Career and Workplace Issues. Brand, Trauma and Violence. Klinger, Lesbian Women. Al-Mateen, Christian, Mishra, Cofield, Tildon, Women of Color. Holroyd, Aging and Elderly Women. Part V: Research and Health Policy Issues. Merkatz, Clary, Harrison, Women and Mental Health Research Methodology. Blehar, Norquist, Mental Health Policy and Women.