Dr. Shaila Misri

Research In Focus - Fall 1996

Investigator Profile: Dr. Shaila Misri

With a busy clinical practice, ongoing research and a book in stores across the continent. Dr. Shaila Misri is spreading the word about the mental health needs of women during premenstruation, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause.

A founder of B.C.'s only Reproductive Psychiatry Program, Misri has been a pioneer in her field, now a rapidly growing especially in the United Slates. After training for two years in obstetrics and gynecology in Germany. Misri made the move to reproductive psychiatry 16 years ago, to allow her to do a variety of clinical work and research while raising her young family. She began her practice at Grace Hospital in 1983 as a part-time consultant, and was later joined by Dr. Diana Carter.

The Reproductive Psychiatry Program now spans two sites — BC Women's and St. Paul's Hospital—with five psychiatrists, one psychologist, two nurse clinicians, a research assistant and a two-person support staff. The team also takes an active role in research.

Misri recently drew on her years of practice and research to write Shouldn't/be Happy?, a book aimed at helping women and their partners recognize normal and abnormal feelings during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The book's conversational lone and groundbreaking subject matter drew the media's attention, including invitations to Canadian and U.S. television talk shows. However, the writing process took three years, and she is postponing plans for a second book until her older son graduates from high school.

Meanwhile, she will be consulting with hospitals in the U.S. to help set up new reproductive psychiatry programs, as well as leaving more time for family and hobbies like travel, reading and classical music. An annual trip to the University of Bombay as a visiting professor combines work and pleasure, providing the opportunity to see her family, leach students and treat patients who are too poor to pay for psychiatric care.

Although Canada may have more resources for menial health than India, Misri stresses that we still have a long way to go in reproductive psychiatry, particularly in awareness and treatment for mood disorders in pregnancy and postpartum.

To help raise awareness for the public as well as the professional community, the Reproductive Psychiatry Program will be hosting "Supporting Women, Supporting Ourselves—A Conference on Reproductive Psychiatry", November 21-23, 1996, in Vancouver. A public forum will be held on the first day with lectures on the following days. For more information, call the B.C. Reproductive Care Program at 737-7270.

Research in Focus is a quarterly newsletter published by BC Women's Research division.
Editors: Patti Janssen and Anne Mclaughlin