Women in psychiatry: a review.

Throughout the world, psychiatry is in a period of accelerated transition. In each nation the role of women in psychiatry, and the role of psychiatry in the lives of women, reflect one aspect of the development of egalitarianism. Women psychiatrists have perennially been confronted with conflicts between their professional and private life responsibilities. Internationally, the external and internal factors that prohibit or limit women's personal development and vocational participation are being scrutinized. American psychiatry is proving to be a pioneer among medical specialities in this area.