The study, published in the December 2000 Psychiatric Services, notes that women who suffer from schizophrenia have many concerns that differ from those of men, such as whether to continue medication while pregnant, parenthood issues, and sexual abuse.
Schizophrenia affects one percent of the U.S. population, or 2.5 million people annually. While it afflicts men and women at equal rates, the average age of onset for men is 21 years of age, compared with women at 27, according to lead author Wanda M. Chernomas, R.N, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, Canada. For this reason, women are often further along in their developmental cycles and are more likely to have careers, partners and children, which makes the illness even more disruptive.
Five focus groups totaling 28 women who identified themselves as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder discussed their health-related needs, ranging from parenting and reproductive health to relationships and aging. Data were coded and organized around key themes.
The risk of personal loss for women with schizophrenia is prevalent, and consequently, therapists need to look at how gender issues affect diagnosis and treatment, according to the study.
Ensuring that women have the best possible information from their health care providers is crucial, Chernomas says, adding that the whole of a woman's life needs to be considered when weighing a woman's best interests. While a psychiatrist can help identify an illness as well as the treatment for it, women with schizophrenia are affected in every area of their lives. "We have to look at all of that to provide effective treatment to facilitate recovery," she says.
Trying to address and, ideally, overcome the dilemmas that arise from the illness and its treatment -- those that affect nearly all facets of a woman's life -- is an ongoing challenge, she says.
The authors of the study will consider these factors with an eye toward determining, providing and strengthening social support, on formal and informal levels, Chernomas says.
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society that represents nearly 40,000 psychiatric physicians specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
"Perspectives of Women Living with Schizophrenia," by Wanda Chernomas, R.N., Ph.D., et al., p.1517, Journal of Psychiatric Services, December 2000.
---American Psychiatric Association
Articles in The Science of Mental Health are written by the originating institution. This article was originally posted to Newswise . Newswise maintains a comprehensive database of news releases from top institutions engaged in scientific, medical, liberal arts and business research.
