Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause: Finding Hope in the Midlife

by King; Dana E

• ISBN13: 9780789023032
• ISBN10: 0789023032
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-07
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Turn menopause and midlife into a positive experience Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause examines the emotional toll of menopause, offering help for the worry, anxiety, stress, and depression women can face during the midlife years. Instead of focusing on estrogen, hormones, and osteoporosis, the book shares up-to-date research findings on the link between spiritual and emotional health. Women from different backgrounds and spiritual traditions will find hope in the healing power of the mind/body/spirit connection as they gain a healthy perspective of the changes taking place and restore balance to their lives. Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause goes beyond the traditional medical approach to examine ways women can make peace with the changes they face at midlife. This unique book informs, empowers, and enlightens women about the opportunities for personal and spiritual growth during menopause, offering strategies for exercise, meditation, prayer, and counseling. The authors offer a new perspective on menopause that offers hope in the face of the stress, worry, hot flashes, and often-overwhelming responsibilities women face at the midlife. This book demonstrates that women can do more than just make it through” menopause. The authors show that menopause can become a positive experience for women as they discover new avenues for finding peace and hope to sustain them through the challenges of mid-life--and beyond. Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause examines alternative aspects of menopause, including: dealing with emotional loss on top of physical and psychological changes moods, attitudes, and depression the benefits of counseling and group support exercise as a treatment for anxiety and depression the work experience spiritual issues special challenges of the perimenopausal period and much more! Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause is a vital resource for physicians, counselors, therapists, and psychologists, and especially for the women they treat.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Janice Daugherty, MD
Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	1	(6)
Chapter 1. The Transition to Menopause: The Journey Begins	7	(12)
Is Menopause a Disease?	8	(1)
When Does Menopause Begin?	9	(1)
Hormonal Changes	9	(3)
Symptoms	12	(2)
Interpreting Menopausal Experiences	14	(5)
Chapter 2. Closing and Opening Doors: Dealing with a Journey of Personal Loss	19	(8)
Transitions During Menopause	19	(2)
Physical and Social Context of Menopause	21	(2)
The Spiritual Issues	23	(1)
The Interpersonal Changes	24	(2)
Opening Doors for Others	26	(1)
Chapter 3. Mood and the Mind in Menopause	27	(14)
Introduction	27	(1)
Attitudes Toward the Menopause Transition	28	(2)
Social Changes and Context of Menopause	30	(1)
Does Menopause Cause Depression?	31	(3)
Spirituality and Depression	34	(1)
Anxiety Disorders	35	(1)
Changes in Sexuality	36	(1)
Menopause Treatment Issues	37	(4)
Chapter 4. Counseling and Group Support	41	(8)
Seeking Counseling	41	(1)
Individual Counseling	42	(1)
Types of Therapists	43	(2)
Therapy in Groups	45	(1)
Other Choices	46	(3)
Chapter 5. Exercise: Moving Along the Menopause Journey	49	(12)
Introduction	49	(3)
Stages of Change	52	(6)
Mind, Body, and Spirit	58	(3)
Chapter 6. Menopause and the Workplace	61	(8)
Changes in the Workplace	61	(2)
Managing Menopause at Work	63	(4)
Finding Fulfillment	67	(2)
Chapter 7. Spiritual Issues Facing Women at Midlife	69	(18)
Finding Spiritual Resources	70	(5)
Why Attend to the Spiritual Aspects of Life at Menopause?	75	(1)
Spirituality and Health: Is There a Physiological Connection?	76	(1)
How Do I Begin to Address Spiritual Issues?	77	(4)
Spirituality for Its Own Sake: The Paradox	81	(1)
Spirituality and Health Care Providers	82	(5)
Chapter 8. Last Word	87	(2)
Resources	89	(8)
Selected Bibliography	97	(6)
Index	103