Psychopathology In Women Research Articles

Influence of 17β-estradiol on the synthesis of reduced neurosteroids in the brain (in vivo) and in glioma cells (in vitro): possible relevance to mental disorders in women

Brain neurosteroids modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A) receptor activity, thereby playing a role in mood disorders. Alterations in 17β-estradiol (E 2) and progesterone (P) are also known to play a significant role in psychopathology in women. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synthesis of dihydroprogesterone (DHP), tetrahydroprogesterone (THP), and the activity of 5α-reductase (5αR) which regulates the reduction of P to DHP on exposure to supraphysiological levels of E 2 in vitro (C6 glioma cells) and in vivo (mouse brain). The results showed that supraphysiological levels of E 2 induced a decrease in the accumulation of both neurosteroids, probably by decreasing the activity of 5αR. We hypothesize that the high levels of E 2 in pregnancy attenuate the increase in the conversion of P to THP in the brain and that the ratio of E 2/P modulates the sedative effect of THP. This process may be relevant to psychopathological disorders that are ascribed to drastic alterations in estrogen levels, such as premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy-related mental disorders, and postpartum “blues”.

Gender, Estrogen, and Schizophrenia

Most of the evidence to support an association between estrogen and psychosis is indirect and comes from clinical studies of gender differences in schizophrenia and from studies of fluctuating levels of psychopathology in different phases of the menstrual cycle. Our data, as well as those of other investigators, suggest a significantly later age at onset of schizophrenia in women than in men. There is somewhat more direct evidence from animal studies indicating that estrogen modulates dopamine systems in a manner similar to neuroleptics, although there are some inconsistencies in the literature. Few studies have examined the effects of estrogen administration in conjunction with neuroleptics on psychotic symptoms. We present a case report of a postmenopausal woman with schizophrenia who had an improvement in positive symptoms with estrogen replacement therapy. Long-term double-blind treatment studies are needed to investigate the effects of estrogen on psychotic symptoms in women with schizophrenia.

Estrogen affects cognition in women with psychosis

Estrogen has been reported to affect aspects of cognition and psychopathology in women, both normal and with psychosis. This study aimed to replicate and extend this research by investigating the effect of estrogen on cognition over the menstrual cycle in a group of normal women and women with psychosis. The sample consisted of 31 premenstrual normal control subjects, and 29 women with psychosis. Subjects were tested twice, 2 weeks apart on a number of cognitive tests. There was no difference in Positive and Negative Symptom Scale scores between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Both groups of women performed better on the Revised Mental Rotation Test and Trails A during the follicular phase when estrogen levels were low. Contrary to expectation, during the luteal phase, when estrogen was high, the control subjects showed no significant improvement in performance on verbal articulatory–motor tasks, and the women with psychosis performed significantly worse on the Purdue Pegboard. The unexpected adverse effect of high levels of estrogen on motor performance in the psychotic women was hypothesized to be related to their disease process.

An exploration of women's concerns about heavy menstrual blood loss and their expectations regarding treatment

‘Heavy periods’ (menorrhagia) constitute a high number of referrals to outpatient gynaecology departments, with surgery as a frequent outcome, despite the symptoms frequently presenting no risk to health. Concerns about high rates for hysterectomy has led to a turn to less invasive surgical techniques, which remove the lining of the womb rather than the whole organ. However, the offer of surgery of whatever sort should still be a cause for concern where it is performed in the absence of abnormality. Research in this area has attempted to distinguish between objective (real) menorrhagia and subjective (imagined) menorrhagia and explored the psychopathology of women who are subjectively menorrhagia Some researchers have called for routine objective measurement of blood loss, while others have argued for a greater emphasis on exploring women's concerns and expectations. The present study uses qualitative methods to examine what prompts women's presentation and referral, the nature of women's concerns and anxieties, and the desired outcome following gynaecological consultation. Themes from 23 transcripts of interviews conducted with women who presented to an outpatient gynaecology department, indicate the importance of considering women's concerns and perspectives around heavy menstrual blood loss. The likely effects of these concerns and perspectives on outcome are explored and the implications for the management of menorrhagia are discussed.

Psychopathology in women and men: focus on female hormones.

The goal of this overview is to examine male/female differences in psychopathology in light of the known effects of gonadal steroids, especially estradiol, on neural function. The epidemiology of specific psychopathological syndromes is highlighted with respect to male/female differences and discussed against the backdrop of recent neuroendocrine findings. A number of differences between the sexes in rates of illness and course of illness are documented, with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and mood and anxiety disorders each illustrating slightly different hormone-mediated risks and buffers. Estrogens are neuroprotective with respect to neuronal degeneration, growth, and susceptibility to toxins. The cyclic fluctuations of estrogens and progesterone enhance the response to stress, which confers susceptibility to depression and anxiety.

Psychopathology in Women With HIV Disease and Drug Abuse

Psychopathology in Women With HIV Disease and Drug Abuse

Comparative psychopathology of women who experienced intra-familial versus extra-familial sexual abuse

The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) was used to assess psychopathology in a clinical sample of 30 women with histories of intra-familial sexual victimization, 22 women with histories of extra-familial sexual victimization, and 30 women with no victimization experiences. The present study examines whether the relative/nonrelative issue is significant to the impact of sexual victimization experiences. A clinical comparison of two point code types indicated that both sexually abused groups could be characterized as suffering an Affective Depressed-Dissociative Disorder. However, profile shapes produced for the intra- and extra-familial abused groups differed. A discriminant function developed via step wise selection procedures incorporated 12 of the 14 scales, correctly classifying 94% of the individuals (49 of 52) as members of the extra or intra-familial groups. Profile analyses, discriminant analyses, clinically descriptive comparisons, and post hoc analyses of individual scales all revealed that psychopathology is much more evident in those who have experienced sexual abuse. Methodological considerations are highlighted and implications for treatment and research are addressed.

Eating Disorders and Additional Psychopathology in Women

Eating disordered individuals are often found to exhibit additional psychopathology such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and "borderline symptoms" such as self-injury and suicidality. This pilot study examined 535 female subjects with eating disorders to determine the relationship between such additional psychopathology and a prior history of sexual abuse. While few differences were found on general psychiatric/psychological symptoms as measured by the SCL-90-R, subjects that reported a history of sexual abuse were found to have more prior suicide attempts and hospitalizations, and more frequent self-injury and alcohol problems. These findings suggest that symptoms seen in some eating disorder patients that are frequently described as "borderline" may be indicators for a history of sexual abuse.

Childhood parental loss and adult psychopathology in women. A twin study perspective.

We examine the relationship between parental loss prior to age 17 years and adult psychopathology in 1018 pairs of female twins from a population-based registry. The relationship between loss and adult psychopathology varied as a function of the kind of loss (death vs separation), the parent involved, and the form of psychopathology. Increased risk for major depression and generalized anxiety disorder was associated with parental separation but not parental death and with separation from either mother or father. Panic disorder was associated with parental death and maternal, but not paternal, separation. Increased risk for phobia was associated with parental death and not parental separation. Risk for eating disorder was unrelated to the experience of parental loss. A model that includes parental loss as a form of "specified" family environment shows that, if it is truly an environmental risk factor for adult psychopathologic conditions, it can account for between 1.5% and 5.1% of the total variance in liability to these disorders and is responsible for between 7.0% and 20.5% of the tendency for these disorders to aggregate in siblings.

Psychology and Psychopathology in Women – A Psychoanalytic Perspective

Aspects of the normal psychology and psychopathology of women are discussed in relation to adolescence, young womanhood and motherhood. Perversions of motherhood exist, although they are largely denied by a society which idealises being a mother. This denial may be caused by society's inability to see a woman as a complete human being. The aetiology of perversions in women is both psychobiological and social and it is bound up with the politics of power. Perverse motherhood can be seen as the product of the emotional instability and inadequate individuation brought about by a process involving at least three generations.

Cultural Expectations and Psychopathology in Women

Cultural Expectations and Psychopathology in Women

The Psychopathology of Women (Book)

The Psychopathology of Women (Book)

Review of The Psychopathology of Women.

Review of The Psychopathology of Women.