Dear Colleagues,

There are many reasons to implement gender-specific care for people suffering from schizophrenia. Sex and gender differences in psychopathological symptoms have been widely reported in this disorder. For instance, difficult-to-treat negative and cognitive symptoms are more prevalent among men, while affective and positive psychotic symptoms (easier to cure with available treatments) are more prevalent in women. Women, however, are at a disproportionately higher risk for treatment side effects, and the stages of progression of the disorder differ in women and men. The diagnosis is made earlier in men and the early course is more severe, e.g., failure to complete education, excessive use of substances, aggressive behavior, social alienation, high medication doses, and suicide. By contrast, women may be employed, maintain intimate relationships, and rear children. After menopause, however, many women show a worsening of symptoms and a reduction in antipsychotic response, with consequent dose increases and the development of adverse effects (hirsutism, obesity, osteoporosis, tardive dyskinesia, and, perhaps, breast cancer). The selection of an optimal antipsychotic often differs in men and women.

Requirements for healthcare prevention and intervention differ in the two sexes/genders. In many parts of the world women have insufficient access to good medical care; they are more exposed to exploitation and intimate partner abuse. Half of all women with schizophrenia are mothers, which means that the health of future generations depends on their well-being and mental stability. Their pregnancies and postpartum periods are times of special vulnerability and many unknowns in terms of ideal management.

This Special Issue aims to cover medical co-morbidities in women with schizophrenia, as well as their gender-specific needs (including antipsychotic selection, adherence, response, and adverse effects). Papers on perinatal mental health and social aspects (family support, housing, child custody, and safety) are very welcome to this Special Issue. Home-based services, peer support, metabolic issues, studies on immunity and inflammation, and evaluations of collaborative programs with other medical specialties are also being sought. Authors are invited to submit both original articles and review articles.

Dr. Alexandre González-Rodríguez
Prof. Dr. Mary V. Seeman
Guest Editors

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• women
• psychosis
• schizophrenia
• treatment
• antipsychotics
• prognosis