The aim of this study was to determine the life-style factors which were related to dysphoric symptoms in the perimenopausal women. The questionnaires concerning life-style factors, reproductive events, and variety of dysphoric symptoms were obtained from women aged 45-55. By multiple regression analysis using 491 samples, reproductive events including premenstrual syndrome and maternity blues, presence of confidant (confidante), severity of housework, and stress in actual life were found to correlate with severity of perimenopausal symptoms. Present status of menstruation was not related to severity of perimenopausal symptoms. Conclusions: 1) Reproductive events including premenstrual syndrome and maternity blues may be related to perimenopausal symptoms in the women. 2) Psychosomatic and physical stress in actual life, rather than present status of menstruation, is suggested to contribute to occurrence of perimenopausal symptoms in the women.

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We used psychosomatic theory in the treatment of middle-aged and elderly women referred by the pediatrician in charge of their children. The children of these 3 women had problems of their own. Their pediatrician found it necessary to treat their mothers from a psychosomatic perspective while he was providing treatment to their children. The child of the first woman had become excessively dependent on her after the onset of an eating disorder. This woman developed a mood disorder. Her child later developed obsessive-compulsive disorder. The child of the second woman had developed school phobia involving hyperventilation. This woman also gradually developed a mood disorder. The third woman had suffered domestic violence for 20 years, beginning immediately after marriage, and had cared for her mentally retarded child for 10 years. Her husband's parents proposed to her that the couple should divorce, but their view was onesided and indicated DV and the mentally retarded child were the reason for the family's "shame" in the eyes of the community. The woman, due to these stressors, developed PMDD. We provided a form of psychotherapy involving Buddhist concepts to each of these three women. A mental condition that may be referred to as a "spiritual awakening" was attained through this treatment, and it seems to have stimulated recovery from their disturbed mental conditions.

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