Silvia Gaviria: psychiatrists must differentiate the symptom of the stereotype in dealing with women ”
interview. President of the International Congress of medicine and Mental health of women
– throughout life, the woman is subject to many challenges from a psychiatric point of view but there are critical moments such as childbirth, postpartum, menopause, among others.
-the mental health of women have variables that are specific to their gender status, such as directly linked to their cycle, hormonal fluctuations reproductive.
– we know that when one takes into account how dissimilar we men women can make a more thorough assessment and diagnoses more accurate.
Bogota, April 2012.- Between 12 and 14 April will take place in the Plaza Mayor of MedellÃn conventions Centre one of the most important scientific events in the country: the IV International Congress of medicine and Mental health of women.
This expert meeting is held every two years and is organized by the CES University and endorsed by the World Psychiatric Association, the International Association for the Mental health of women, the Psychiatric Association of Latin America and the Colombian Association of Psychiatry. For details of the meeting we talked with his President, DRA. Silvia Gaviria:
-doctor, this year the motto of the Congress is gender and health: beyond of the differences ”. why chose this topic?
The mental health of women have variables that are specific to their gender status, such as hormonal fluctuations, directly related to their reproductive cycle. Also influence the roles that assumes both the labour and the socio-familial context. All these topics are arguably relevant to mental health and they must be taken into account at the time of his approach…
– what impact do these variables in therapy?
We now know that when one takes into account how dissimilar we men women can make a more thorough assessment and more accurate diagnoses. Obviously such practices improve the quality of life of patients, their family and society, and allow to have a better response and greater adherence to treatments because they feel understood.
– what role are playing in this process psychiatrists?
We have to look at what we can do and how we can improve the access of women to health services. While we consulted much more, we depend on that the doctor is sensitive to what comes to mind and that you can differentiate the symptom of the stereotype. For example, a woman can suffer from a panic disorder, but if the specialist not explores what happens or has no interest in their situation, can conclude that she is nervous, menopausal or that presents an episode of hysteria. The problem is that if there is a pathology and untreated in a timely manner, the consequences are much more serious and deteriorating is greater.
– What are the most challenging stages for women?
Throughout life is subject to many challenges from a psychiatric point of view but there are critical moments such as childbirth, postpartum, menopause and the premenstrual period. During those sessions the woman is undergoing much stress, uncertainty, anxiety for the development of their children, for his performance as a mother, changes in the family and the relationship…All this makes it more susceptible. In addition, expected to be competent in professional, labour, social and family level. These stressors increase their vulnerability. Another important aspect, and that is decisive in their mental health is sexual abuse, which is more common in women than in men and is significantly associated with psychiatric pathologies.
– What are the most common disorders among women?
Depression is much more common, in a proportion of 2 to 1 with men. They also are anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. But the differences are not based only on frequency but on characteristics of pathologies. For example, in schizophrenia, although prevalence is equally in men and women, when affects patients has own features in the clinical manifestations, the form of presentation, severity and the moment in which it appears.
-This is the fourth Congress to organize. what news will find participants?
The issue of gender differences is key. Psychiatry up little more than 20 years ago did a differentiation by gender in the interpretation of the psychopathology, because the theory has almost always been written from a male perspective. However, learn about these topics is very enriching because it extends the gaze of the specialist and is left to put in the same bag men and women.
– what speakers will participate
With regard to the international guests will attend the 18 researchers from United States, Austria, Spain, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and Peru. All are professionals with extensive experience, who have dedicated themselves for years to investigate and they will discuss the issues in a way very clear.
– what topics will be addressed?
There will be over 40 conferences in the Congress and the pre-Congress. One of them, for example, will deal with the approach of the identities of adolescent girls. Sexual identities before remaining hidden for fear of stigma and rejection have left the closet with the relative freedom of expression that exists currently. Perhaps doctors are not prepared to make an appropriate approach, because traditionally it was thought that the teenager had formed sexual identity and what we see is that these guys have more or less defined or defined their preference and the doctors we have not trained to interveneaccompany them, advise them.
– do dealt even homosexuality as a pathology?
Not at all, but if there is an appropriate accompaniment other problems can arise by the anguish that generates be quotes, different from the others. Often they can’t solve alone pressure which face both family and social level.
-Finally, what are your expectations with this event?
The idea is to educate and raise awareness on the subject, raise awareness of interdisciplinary work. We hope to assist psychiatrists, ginecobstetras, nurses, psychologists, and general physicians, with the intention of shaping work units and lines of research to help us better understand the way in which women get sick, have better tools to deal with them and teach them to prevent diseases and to care for their comprehensive health.
