Clinical approach to mental health issues among obstetrician-gynecologists: a review.
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.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Coleman
Victoria H
VH
Doctoral Candidate, Department of Psychology, American University, Washington DC 20024, USA. vc0014a@american.edu
Morgan
Maria A
MA
Zinberg
Stanley
S
Schulkin
Jay
J
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D009774:Obstetrics; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care