Dealing with the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Menopause

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-lifeand 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.

Dana E King, Melissa Hunter, Jerri Harris, Harold G Koenig

- Foreword (Janice Daugherty) - Preface - Acknowledgments - Introduction - Chapter 1. The Transition to Menopause: The Journey Begins - Is Menopause a Disease? - When Does Menopause Begin? - Hormonal Changes - Symptoms - Interpreting Menopausal Experiences - Chapter 2. Closing and Opening Doors: Dealing with a Journey of Personal Loss - Transitions During Menopause - Physical and Social Context of Menopause - The Spiritual Issues - The Interpersonal Changes - Opening Doors for Others - Chapter 3. Mood and the Mind in Menopause - Introduction - Attitudes Toward the Menopause Transition - Social Changes and Context of Menopause - Does Menopause Cause Depression? - Spirituality and Depression - Anxiety Disorders - Changes in Sexuality - Menopause Treatment Issues - Chapter 4. Counseling and Group Support - Seeking Counseling - Individual Counseling - Types of Therapists - Therapy in Groups - Other Choices - Chapter 5. Exercise: Moving Along the Menopause Journey - Introduction - Stages of Change - Mind, Body, Spirit - Chapter 6. Menopause and the Workplace - Changes in the Workplace - Managing Menopause at Work - Finding Fulfillment - Chapter 7. Spiritual Issues Facing Women at Midlife - Finding Spiritual Resources - Why Attend to the Spiritual Aspects of Life at Menopause? - Spirituality and Health: Is There a Physiologic Connection? - How Do I Begin to Address Spiritual Issues? - Spirituality for Its Own Sake: The Paradox - Spirituality and Health Care Providers - Chapter 8. Last Word - Resources - Selected Bibliography - Index - Reference Notes Included