A Nurse's Guide to Women's Mental Health / Edition 1

by Michele R. Davidson PhD, CNM, CFN, RN

Overview

Named a 2013 Doody's Core Title!

2012 Third Place AJN Book of the Year Award Winner in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing!

This is a great resource for any nurse working with women."—Score: 94, 4 Stars. Doody's Medical Reviews

This is a quick-access clinical guide to the range of mental health issues and diagnoses that commonly affect women across the life span. It focuses on the unique biopsychosocial factors that make women especially vulnerable to psychological disorders and emphasizes key stressors specific to women that are precursors to mental illness. Frequent headings and bulleted, concise presentation of information facilitates reading.

In addition to discussing mental health issues specific to women, the guide covers unique populations such as disabled women, lesbian and transgendered women, female veterans, women with forensic health concerns, and women who have been the object of violence. Chapters also address childbearing issues, including menstruation-related problems, infertility and its psychological implications, and antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum psychological disorders. Developmental milestones, the impact of culture on mental illness, and global health issues are covered as well. Tables and charts present key facts in an easy-to-read format.

Key Features:

• Provides a concise, easy-to-use guide to women's mental health issues across the life span for new and seasoned nurse practitioners
• Focuses on stressors unique to women as precursors of mental illness
• Delivers commonly occurring DSM-IV disorders in women, using a consistent format that includes etiology, assessment, and drug and behavioral therapeutic approaches
• Discusses preconception and childbearing issues, the impact of violence, female veterans, disabled women, lesbian women, and transgendered women

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826171139
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/22/2012
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Michele R. Davidson, PhD, CNM, CFN, RN, is Associate Professor of Nursing and affiliate faculty member, Women’s Studies Program, George Mason University.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Section I Introduction to Women's Mental Health

1 Statistics on Mental Health of Women 3

2 Stressors Affecting Women 13

3 Role of Culture in Mental Illness 27

4 Violence Against Women 43

Section II Special Populations in Women's Mental Health

5 Childhood and Adolescence 63

6 Mental Health for the Aging Woman 83

7 Physical Disabilities and Mental Health 99

8 Lesbian and Transgender Women 111

9 Female Veterans 121

10 Women and Forensic Mental Health Issues 129

Section III Childbearing and Women's Health Issues

11 Menstrual-Related Issues 141

12 Infertility and Psychological Implications 149

13 Antepartum and Intrapartum Psychological Issues 157

14 Postpartum Mood Disorders and Lactation Issues 173

Section IV Psychiatric Issues Common to Women

15 Anxiety Disorders 193

16 Mood Disorders 213

17 Eating Disorders 233

18 Grief and Loss 247

19 Personality and Dissociative Disorders 261

20 Schizophrenia 277

21 Psychotic Disorders 287

22 Sexual Dysfunction 311

23 Sleep Disorders 323

24 Substance Abuse Disorders 337

Index 349

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Cherie G. Howk, PhD, FNP-BC(Indiana State University)
Description: This is a quick reference to women's mental health issues that affect women across their lifespan. It focuses on the biopsychosocial factors that make women vulnerable to mental health problems.
Purpose: The author notes that her personal experience with postpartum depression led to her decision to write this book. Her goal is that it be a reference for nurses caring for women. With such a broad objective, the book is surprisingly focused and useful.
Audience: It is designed for any and all nurses who work with women. Based on the statistics offered in the first chapter, it is more than evident that understanding women's mental health issues is an important part of caring for women in every setting. The author has practiced as a certified nurse midwife for over 20 years.
Features: The book is comprehensive in its coverage of mental health issues affecting women. To assist with learning, each chapter includes clinical pearls and ends with case studies and questions to consider. In discussing each disorder, whenever appropriate, it emphasizes issues specific to women. For example, the anxiety disorder chapter notes that "women have prolonged fight or flight reactions compared to men because of the elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone that occur with the stress response." It is especially rewarding to see a chapter covering female veterans' issues.
Assessment: This is a great resource for any nurse working with women. Although written by a nurse midwife, it offers information in caring for women with mental health issues in all settings.

Doody's Review Service