21st Century Media And Female Mental Health

This open access book examines the conversations around gendered mental health in contemporary Western media culture. While early 21st century-media was marked by a distinct focus on happiness, productivity and success, during the 2010s negative feelings and discussions around mental health have become increasingly common in that same media landscape. This book traces this turn to sadness in women’s media culture and shows that it emerged indirectly as a result of a culture overtly focused on happiness. By tracing the coverage of mental health issues in magazines, among female celebrities, and on social media this book shows how an increasingly intimate media environment has made way for a profitable vulnerability, that takes the shape of marketable and brand-friendly mental illness awareness that strengthens the authenticity of those who embrace it. But at the same time sad girl cultures are proliferating on social media platforms, creating radically honest spaces where those who suffer get support, and more capacious ways of feeling bad are formed. Using discourse analysis and digital ethnography to study contemporary representations of mental illness and sadness in Western popular media and social media, this book takes a feminist media studies approach to popular discourse, understanding the conversations happening around mental health in these sites to function as scripts for how to think about and experience mental illness and sadness

Internet-based technologies prevail in most of the world. Along with the positive features of digital technologies that permeate our lives in almost every area, including lifestyles and daily practices, the traces of negative aspects have also become evident. Digital addiction is among the most important of these aspects. It is obvious that communication, which has been maintained in various forms since the beginning of humanity, has been shaped by the period in which it is lived. The technology-based transformation has transformed communication, which has been adopted to the "internet" in the world, into a completely different form. Communication, which has become sustainable at any time and anywhere, regardless of location, led by the never-ending elements of "continuity" and "interaction," has turned into an indispensable form. Perspectives on Society and Technology Addiction examines every subject of digital addiction in an interdisciplinary way. It discusses the issues about what technology addiction is, how to deal with this addiction, how to use the existing technology in a positive way, how to deal with this technology for disadvantaged groups, and concerns in the fields of social science and communication science. Covering topics such as Consumer 5.0, experience design, and information markets, this premier reference source is an essential resource for sociologists, policymakers, students and educators of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

This book focuses on various aspects of gender and mental health. Drawing on multidisciplinary perspectives and scholarship, it summarizes the complex intertwining of illness and culture in the context of the rising frequency of mental disorders. The book is divided into three sections, the first of which examines the fundamental and conceptual underpinnings of mental health, well-being and wellness from a gender perspective, in order to present an overview of mental health through a holistic gender lens. The second section focuses on the mental health scenario in India, examining the epidemiological data and etiology of mental illness from a psychosocial standpoint. Lastly, the third section shares field-based narratives that reflect the multifaceted challenges related to the treatment of mental illness, inclusion and the promotion of positive mental health. It also includes success stories in diverse settings. The book is an indispensable read for scholars and professionals in psychology, sociology, gender studies and social work.

Here is an illuminating feminist appraisal of the problems of sex differences and sexist treatment of women's mental health problems by state mental health agencies. In this provocative volume, prominent feminist scholars and practitioners provide insights into the problems of biased treatment of women and provide both factual evidence of that bias and effective, viable solutions for change. The editors are members of the Women's Task Force of the Department of Mental Health in the State of Michigan. The Task Force is comprised of women health professionals who are aware of sexism in the mental health services provided by the State and have taken action to change the biased treatment of women.

As women, we know how important it is to take charge of our health care-to be informed and proactive. But too often we forget that our mental wellness is an integral part of our overall health. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women is the definitive resource for women looking for answers to their mental health questions, whether those questions concern a disorder like depression or adjusting to major life changes like motherhood or divorce. Drawing on the latest thinking in psychiatry and psychology, written for women of diverse backgrounds, The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women begins with Part One, the life cycle, helping women understand the major issues and biological changes associated with young adulthood, middle age, and old age. Specific entries address the psychological importance of women's sexuality, relationships, motherhood, childlessness, trauma, and illness and discuss how social contexts, such as poverty and racism, inevitably affect mental health. Part Two explores specific mental disorders, including those, like postpartum depression, related to times when women are particularly vulnerable to mental illness. Part Three takes a closer look at biological treatments-including the use of antidepressants, and various types of psychotherapy-from cognitive behavioral treatments to EMDR and beyond. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women ends with a section on life enhancements-because the activities that help us live fuller, more vital lives are also essential to our mental health. The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women * Draws on the knowledge and practical experience of more than fifty psychologists and psychiatrists * Helps women think through the psychological challenges inherent in the life cycle, from young adulthood through old age * Focuses on key life issues, from sexuality and relationships to trauma and racism * Provides important information on mental disorders, their biological treatments, and psychotherapeutic interventions * Includes a comprehensive list of psychotropic medications, targeted reading suggestions, crucial online resources, and support groups The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women covers what every woman should know about: * Aging. What should I expect from menopause? What do I need to know about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy? * Pregnancy. How will becoming a mother change me? How do I overcome postpartum depression? * Childlessness. What if I don't want to be a mother? * Sexuality. Is a "female Viagra" the solution to women's sexual complaints? How does societal ambivalence about women's sexuality affect me? * Body Image and Eating Disorders. Are all eating disorders a reaction to societal pressures to be thin? * Polypharmacy. Why are some patients prescribed more than one type of psychotropic drug? Is this overmedicating? * Finding a Psychotherapist. How do I know if a therapist is right for me? And how do I know what type of therapy I need? * Anger. Why is it the most difficult emotion for many women to express? * EMDR. What exactly is EMDR? Is it a reputable therapy? * Depression and Anxiety. What do I need to know about psychopharmaceuticals? Does talk therapy help? * Complementary Treatments for Depression and Anxiety. Does St. John's Wort really work? What else might help?

This book offers research-based evidence for considering the next generation of trans*+ individuals and for making classrooms, healthcare facilities, and clinics affirming spaces for people of all genders. Brazenly challenging what once may have seemed standard, it presents the findings of a large-scale mixed-methods research project. The text offers a deep dive into the literature surrounding trans*+ topics and controversies in media, medicine, and mental health. Introducing a new addition to ‘LGBTQIA’, ‘Thisgender’, the book approaches trans*+ studies with provocative questions and illuminating answers.

Mental Health from a Gender Perspective addresses the many issues that impact on women's mental health, drawing from a wide range of disciplines.

This is an important academic text on the political aspects of depression, specifically the relationship between globalization and depression. The text Walker reestablishes the link between mental health research and treatment, along with the political and economical influences outside the world of academic and clinical mental health. Overall, this book accomplishes the task of how closely and inextricably linked these diverse fields are and the way they operate together to produce not only a cultural representation of mental illness but influence the extent and type of mental distress in the 21st century.