This pioneering book discusses the mental health of Indian women from the twin perspectives of feminism and the philosophy of the social sciences. Reviewing data and documented material covering broad areas such as theory, research, clinical practice and policy, Bhargavi V Davar addresses issues of: the epidemiology of mental distress among Indian women; the aetiology of mental illness in terms of socio-demography, violence and culturally specific distress behaviours; gender bias in mental health services; and the female `self' in the context (...) of mental distress. (shrink)