ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses not only on pathology but also on mental health and the factors that promote it. It first looks at two key factors that are associated with good mental health: social support and optimism. The chapter then explores mental health in childhood and adolescence and talks about eating disorders and substance abuse. It also describes anxiety disorders, depression, and suicide. The chapter then discusses mental health issues of sexual minority women and of older women and concludes with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Three major types of eating disorders have been identified. They are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Until recently, substance use was considered primarily a male problem, and much of the research dealing with abuse of alcohol and other drugs was carried out on males. This oversight has led to inadequate diagnosis and treatment of women with substance abuse disorders.
