Valerie Davis Raskin

One in four women will experience clinical depression, anxiety, or premenstrual depression in her lifetime. The good news is that popular new prescription drugs like Prozac and Xanax bring much needed relief. The bad news is that many physicians and therapists are unaware of common issues for women. As medical treatment for depression and anxiety has become simpler, more and more general practitioners are prescribing antidepressants, often with little background in the nonmedical alternatives or complex mind-body interactions.

Emphasizing women's family roles as well as their unique biological/hormonal sensitivities, Dr. Raskin explains contemporary integrated treatment options. Raskin pays special attention to how birth control, menstrual cycles, childbearing, and menopause impact treatment choices. Raskin empowers women to take an active approach in dealing with common side effects, including weight gain and diminished sexual responsiveness. Using revealing case studies, Raskin offers a wealth of hands-on advice.


At a time when trends in health care have led to less personalized contact between doctor and patient, When Words Are Not Enough provides the facts and reassurance women need to be in control of their own health.

"An invaluable resource…the voice of the wise and compassionate older sister we all wish we had-the really bright one who went to medical school."
--Tracy Thompson, journalist, author of The Beast: A Journey through Depression.

"An unusually compassionate approach to women's experiences of depression and anxiety with expert interpretation of the wide array of treatments that can help."
--Martha M. Manning, Ph.D., psychologist, author of Undercurrents: A Life Beneath the Surface

"Clear and judicious, an extremely helpful resource for women..."
--Peter Kramer, M.D., psychiatrist, author of Listening to Prozac