Counselling of the climacteric woman. Diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic possibilities

The psycho(patho)logical disorders during climacteric can only be adequately diagnosed and treated if the gynaecologist also pays clinical attention to the biographically related adaptation troubles of the woman in (peri)menopause. Psychoneurotic and psychosomatic reactions are frequent; psychotic reactions are rarely seen. The anxiety neuroses of this age of life are triggered less by sexual factors, but more by angry impulses. This anxiety can be expressed in a paranoid behaviour. Most adaptation difficulties and psychiatric disorders during menopause can and should be effectively treated by the gynaecologist. Theoretical understanding and practical experience concerning the counselling of psychosomatic patients are indispensable.