Main description:

Mood disorders, like depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia, are common psychological illnesses that occur worldwide and across the life-span. There is a growing consensus among mental health clinicians and researchers that culture and cultural context are often key determinants in mood disorder prevention and outcome. It have become increasingly apparent that an appropriate understanding of culture is essential for treatments to be effective, and for optimal
outcomes to be obtained by individuals suffering from these conditions. This text focuses on cross-cultural issues arising in the context of diagnosis, treatment, and research of mood disorders within diverse populations. With specific case examples to supplement the topics reviewed in each chapter,
this important volume will be of great interest to all clinicians and researchers working in the area of mood disorders.

Contents:

1. Using Care with Culture ; 2. Issues in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Mood Disorders in Minorities ; 3. Culture-Specific Diagnoses and Their Relationship to Mood Disorders ; 4. The Epidemiology of Mood Disorders Among U.S. Minority Populations ; 5. Treatment Modalities and Culture ; 6. Health Care Seeking and Access ; 7. The Scientific Status of Complementary and Alternative Medicines for Mood Disorders: A Review ; 8. Loss in Translation: Considering the Critical Role of Interpreters and Language in the Psychiatric Evaluation of Non-English Speaking Patients ; 9. The Role of Family Diversity in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Disorders ; 10. Models for the Delivery of Care ; 11. Factoring Culture into Outcomes Measurement in Mental Health ; 12. Psychopharmacology and Culture ; 13. Legal and Ethical Issues in Research Relating to Mood Disorders ; 14. Strategies for Recruitment and Retention of Minorities in Research of Mood Disorders ; 15. Training the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals: Awareness and Appreciation of Cultural Issues in Mental Health