Physical and Mental Health Needs in Women Suffering from Schizophrenia

A special issue of Women (ISSN 2673-4184).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 March 2025 | Viewed by 1112

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, University of Barcelona (UB), CIBERSAM, Terrassa, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: psychopathology; clinical psychiatry; delusional disorder; schizophrenia; neuroscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, University of Barcelona, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
2. Neurosciences Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERSAM, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
Interests: schizophrenia; psychosis; affective disorder; psychoneuroendocrinology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Women who suffer from schizophrenia often require health interventions that differ from those of men. A significant portion of the literature supports the notion that mortality is premature in schizophrenia, with schizophrenia women being at high risk of breast cancer mortality compared to those from the general population. Cardiovascular risk factors increase for women during the menopause, which is a period of high vulnerability to worsening psychotic symptoms. Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia is frequent in patients with schizophrenia, and in women, it has short and long-term negative effects (e.g., amenorrhea, osteopenia, osteoporosis).

Social risk factors have shown a significant influence on physical and mental health in patients with schizophrenia. Women with schizophrenia suffer significantly from more severe negative consequences compared to men, with social exclusion and discrimination being important social targets for these populations. Women and men metabolize drugs differently and show different antipsychotic response profiles; this is why personalized gender approaches are recommended in schizophrenia populations.

The present issue aims to summarize the scientific evidence on medical comorbidity, antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia, the safety and tolerability of treatment interventions, and the impact of new personalized treatment approaches to treat schizophrenia in women.

Dr. Alexandre González-Rodríguez
Dr. Jose Antonio Monreal
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • schizophrenia
  • women
  • gender
  • mental health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

19 pages, 347 KiB  
Review
Incorporating Evidence of Migrant Women with Schizophrenia into a Women’s Clinic
by Alexandre González-Rodríguez, Bruma Palacios-Hernández, Mentxu Natividad, Leah C. Susser, Jesús Cobo, Elisa Rial, Helena Cachinero, Eduard Izquierdo, Mireia Salvador, Ariadna Balagué, Jennipher Paola Paolini, Noelia Bagué, Anabel Pérez and José Antonio Monreal
Women 2024, 4(4), 416-434; https://doi.org/10.3390/women4040032 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 682
Abstract
Many gender differences in mental and physical health, along with accompanying social needs have been reported by those suffering with schizophrenia. The goal of this review is to explore the literature on migrant and culturally diverse women suffering with schizophrenia to develop and [...] Read more.
Many gender differences in mental and physical health, along with accompanying social needs have been reported by those suffering with schizophrenia. The goal of this review is to explore the literature on migrant and culturally diverse women suffering with schizophrenia to develop and implement effective strategies in specialized clinics. In general, we found higher rates of mental health symptoms among migrant and refugee women when compared to men. Several factors contribute to this vulnerability, suggesting that women may experience more pre- and post-migration-related trauma. In clinical populations, migrant status, region of origin, age at the time of migration, migration with family or alone, and migration to join family determine the risk of schizophrenia and the clinical course of the illness. Refugee migrant women have a higher risk of schizophrenia than non-refugee migrants and native-born populations. Migration is associated with poor access to mental health services; low social support, lack of awareness of services, and language barriers may mediate this association. These findings call for specific assessments on migrant women, interventions (e.g., focus groups), and improvement in current programs. In our clinics, we have recently incorporated assessment and intervention strategies that may be effective in our programming. Full article
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