Drawing on the latest thinking in psychiatry and psychology, and written for women of diverse backgrounds, this trade reference guide to women's mental health provides a comprehensive and readable overview to the psychological issues that concern women most. Arguing that women want and need to understand their mental health as more than a question of disorder or normality, it begins with the life cycle, helping women understand the major issues and biological changes associated with young adulthood, middle age, and old age. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women also specifically addresses the psychological importance of women's sexuality and relationships, and discusses how social contexts, such as poverty and racism, 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 treatments, including the use of antidepressants and other drugs, 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 that discusses some of the activities that can help us live fuller lives. --from the publisher
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