Coleman Victoria H, Morgan Maria A, Zinberg Stanley, Schulkin Jay
Doctoral Candidate, Department of Psychology, American University, Washington DC 20024, USA.
Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2006 Jan;61(1):51-8. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000193877.72966.63.
In recent years, obstetrician-gynecologists have taken on a greater role in the provision of primary care. Mental health has been a topic worthy of further exploration as a result of the high prevalence rates of women presenting in gynecologic settings with depressive, anxiety, or eating-disordered symptoms. The detrimental effects of psychopathology have been well documented in the literature, especially if present during pregnancy. This article provides a review of the literature in the area of clinical practice related to mental health among obstetrician-gynecologists based on searches of the Psyc Info and MEDLINE databases. Lack of recognition and underdiagnosis are common problems that need to be addressed by focused educational initiatives.
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall the importance of screening for various types of mental disease during an ob/gyn visit; describe the detrimental effects of psychopathology, especially during pregnancy; and explain the importance of educational initiatives in detecting and treating mental disorders.
