Psychiatry & Psychology

New Releases from Wiley

HANDBOOK OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION. Edited by Richard Balon. R.Taylor Segraves. Taylor and Francis.

In terms of conditions which cause patients the most psychological trauma and consternation, issues of cancer and sexual dysfunction top the list — they’re the afflictions that make us stutter and cringe and bite down on every word. This new text, edited by Richard Balon (Wayne State University) and R. Taylor Segraves (Case Western Reserve University) offers a thorough examination of the primary causes of sexual dysfunction, as well as ways the medical professional should go about treating the patient. What sets this text apart from others in its class is its depth and completeness, as the editors have taken great pains to dissect the subject and provide thorough analysis that is meant to make initial diagnosis and options of treatment more clearly identifiable by the physician. After introducing the common treatments currently in use for sexual disorders, the authors look at a wide array of subjects that form the foundation of this handbook. Specific problems analyzed include Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Sexual Aversion Disorder, Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and Erectile Dysfunction (included in the discussion is the practice of integrating sex therapy with pharmacotherapy as a viable means to confront sexual dysfunction). Aside from the learned reportage the text provides, we are also impressed with its format, as treatment is examined from both the psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy perspectives.

Recommended to urologists, internists and psychologists as an in-office reference tool useful to day-to-day practice.

Order from booksmd.com.

by John Aiello

Routledge Psychology

The HBO super-series The Sopranos (which concluded a brilliant 7-year run in June 2007), broke much new ground and cut-through the collective core of many a taboo. In the process, the show also shed deep light on myriad processes of psychology and psychoanalytical thought – when Tony was sitting in Dr. Melfi’s office pouring his guts out, it’s almost as we were also there too, confessing our sins, seeking absolution from this medical soothsayer who sat safely in TV land (at arm’s-length). If nothing else, the series served to open up the viewer’s minds to the depth of the science of psychology, reintroducing us to the dark complexities of the human mind. In reality, it’s unfortunate to note that many of us struggle with the same demons that Tony Soprano has battled – addiction and impulses of violence, feelings of inadequacy the result of broken relationships with parents – these factors that assemble to alter perceptions of ourselves and our world.

The texts noted below (recently released from Routledge) comprise some of the very best resources available to students, instructors and practicing professionals in the field of psychology – books that, like The Sopranos, speak in real terms, looking to unlock the secrets of human behavior.

THE MODERN SCIENTIST – PRACTITIONER. A Guide to Practice in Psychology. David A. Lane. Sarah Corrie. Routledge.

This text seeks to dig deep into the relationship between science and practice as they relate to the study and application of psychological theory. Here, the authors do a remarkable job at integrating many different perspectives from different fields (including anthropology, philosophy, psychology and science) in order to create this working model of the scientist-practitioner. As students advance into the field of psychology, they quickly come to realize that applying the theories they have learned in the classroom to patient-based settings is one of the greatest challenges they will encounter. Simply, the question is: How do you meld science with the idea of medical practice while keeping the interests of the patient firmly in place? A meaningful question, indeed, with no easy answers. In The Modern Scientist, Lane (Middlesex University) and Corrie (University of London) effectively dissect this problem, educating both students and physicians on how to sew the competing demands of business, science and patient care into a single flexible fabric.

Recommended to psychologists and psychiatrists as an in-office reference offering viable direction on creating a modern ‘practice.’ In addition, advanced students of psychology would be well-served to seek out this text as it presents sound information on what it takes to succeed as a professional scientist.

by John Aiello

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY IN HEALTH CARE. Donnie J. Wilbanks. Delmar/Cengage Learning.

More often than not, the practice of medicine is predicated upon the advancements of science, conveniently forgetting that there is a human body with tangible emotions and feelings at the other end of that stethoscope. In this outstanding manual written by Donnie Wilbanks (St. Louis College of Health Careers), caregivers are provided with a road map that will allow them to gain a firm understanding of how to apply psychology to the myriad realms of the healthcare process. Moreover, what is laudable about this text is that it doesn’t stop at patient care, but instead, steps forward to consider the unique challenges that confront the caregiver. Well-organized and easy to comprehend, this text is a natural fit for both the classroom and the practicing professional on the ‘battlelines.’

THE SELF PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTION AND ITS TREATMENT. Richard B. Ulman. Harry Paul. Routledge.

Addictive behavior is one of the most common causes prompting individuals to seek counsel from a psychologist – an often crippling condition that plagues both the patient and those closest to them. As the authors note, in Freud’s time, neurotic disorders were the psychological hurdle ‘of the day.’ However, the 21^st century patient often struggles from a variety of addictive disorders which significantly compromise the quality of life. Recently, the greatest challenge for psychoanalysis has been in how to bring treatment options current with the needs of the ‘modern’ patient (as treatment for addictive disorders is still not yet on par with the regimens in place for myriad neurotic conditions). Here, Ulman and Paul attempt to provide a complete analysis on ways in which healthcare providers can initiate impactive treatment for patients who present with addiction-based disorders. In The Self Psychology of Addiction, the authors stress a clinical approach, focusing on advancing solid treatment options for the narcissistic patient battling one of the five major forms of addiction (alcoholism; drug/substance abuse; eating disorders; gambling; and distorted sexual behavior). In addition to their layered examination of the subject, Ulman and Paul skillfully integrate specific case studies into the narrative as a means to illuminate especially important points of information.

Recommended to psychologists who treat patients suffering from addiction. In addition, students in advanced programs will be presented with much important information as the authors draw a distinct line between ‘old’ and ‘new’ approaches of treatment. Finally, this volume deserves to be housed in all Health Science libraries because of its thorough and cutting-edge dissection of its subject.

by John Aiello

LOVE AND LOSS. The Roots of Grief and its Complications. Colin Murray Parkes. Routledge.

This is an important text that seeks to illuminate the two primary emotions that consume the human psyche (assuming control with an indelible grip). Love and grief are two impulses from which we cannot run – simply, they are the intangibles that define the human species and give us meaning. Love – equals beauty and pleasure, just as the dark idea of loss cripples with pain. No matter how great the love, loss is always there, a distant yet inevitable specter that will one day surely appear. So how do you cope? No one really knows — there are no easy answers. There is, at best, only knowledge to gain – knowledge of what to expect, an understanding of how to sift through your feelings. Accordingly, Parkes’ treatise serves as a cogent study of these two contrary but intertwined concepts – the perfect undergraduate introduction to the core of the ‘human experience.’

This book would be an appropriate text in any psychology course that examines both the social and personal aspects of love and loss.

by John Aiello

CLINICAL HANDBOOK OF CO-EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS. Amanda Baker. Richard Velleman. Routledge.

This multi-dimensional and erudite text sets out to show clinicians how to detect, assess and treat patients who present with substance-addiction in addition to symptoms of impaired mental health. As the authors note, mental health practitioners often lack the training to properly treat patients suffering from multiple impairments that, when lumped together, significantly compromise the mind’s ability to function with reason and prudence. Here, leading clinicians from throughout the world offer the reader pin-point guidance on how to assess patients with co-existing problems, providing both students and medical professionals alike with a tool that affords a better understanding of the demons driving the behavior of countless individuals.

Recommended as in-office reference for all physiatrists, psychologists and social workers charged with treating patients who are battling dug/alcohol addiction while concurrently suffering from mental instability.

Order each from amazon.com.

by John Aiello

American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

COMPETENCY IN COMBINING PHARMACOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: INTEGRATED AND SPLIT TREATMENT. From the Core Competencies in Psychotherapy Series. Michelle Riba. Richard Balon. Glen Gabbard, Editor. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

American Psychiatric Publishing’s Core Competencies series [1] (Edited by Glen Gabbard) presents five texts on different aspects of psychotherapy, in turn offering both student and practitioner a full overview of the subject. The basic idea behind these textbooks is to impress upon the reader how complicated the human mind is, stressing the fact that treatment of patients with mental disorders requires nuanced care (with patients to be treated as individuals and not ‘classic case studies’).

Basically, the Core Competencies Series is about enveloping the student or reader in the material until maximum competency is attained. In this volume, doctors learn the intricacies of how to combine elements of psychotherapy with pharmacological (or drug) therapy. As Riba and Balon assert, placing a patient on a narcotic requires delicate understanding as the side effects and related consequences to the patient can be far-reaching and long term. In addition, patients cannot truly receive the full value of medication unless they are also receiving care by physicians skilled at integrating the one-on-one counseling session into a course of treatment that also includes some form of pharmacological therapy.

In this text, Doctors Riba and Balon do an exemplary of writing to their audience; rather than talking down as if lecturing from the classroom podium, the authors instead are able to weave the material into a comprehensive course of study which commands the reader listen and interact with the data on the page (in large part the same role they will play when trying to competently treat patients from a clinical setting). At all times, Riba and Balon speak in clear and concrete terms, marrying one element of the subject to the next, building a true depth of knowledge that is absolutely necessary for competent patient care.

[1] The material in this series is regarded as being at “the core” of the practice of Psychiatric Medicine as outlined by The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and The American Board of Medical Specialties.

by John Aiello

Also Notable in the Series

INTRODUCTION TO SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY. From the Core Competencies in Psychotherapy Series. Arnold Winston. Richard Rosenthal. Henry Pinsker. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

Based on the same premise as the previous selection and serving as an installment in the Core Competency in Psychotherapy Series. This text uses skillfully constructed vignettes as a means to demonstrate how the clinician might formulate an effective doctor-patient relationship. Simply, this aspect of Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of the discipline: no matter the circumstance, a physician has to be able to effectively communicate with the patient; in addition, a patient must trust enough in his doctor to open up and reveal parts of the self. In essence, the physician must be able to support the patient in myriad ways in order to develop a true understanding of the patient’s problem and level of pain. Expertly written with a feel for both the physician and patient perspectives.

Each of these books are recommended as class texts for advanced students in the discipline as they serve to teach the nuances of effective combination treatments for patients who present with various mental disorders. Further recommended to Health Science libraries as general reference texts.

Also From American Psychiatric Publishers

IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTHCARE. Richard C. Hermann. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

This text is quite unique in scope as it attempts to delineate a specific series of steps to improve healthcare for the patient in the throes of a mental disorder. Hermann’s treatise is steeped in “measuring the basics of the processes of mental healthcare,” including: patient access; appropriateness of treatment; safety; and continuity of care (which is one of the most important factors to patients enjoying a sustained improvement of their condition). One of the best aspects of Hermann’s text is that is sets forth a dedicated plan of attack focusing on the unique issues mental health practitioners face. In this realm of medicine, the patient seeks treatment while fighting against traditional stigmas. Consequently, the physician is in a battle to gain the patient’s trust so that a positive course of treatment can ensue. Unfortunately, much of the healthcare community’s attention is focused on common medical issues like heart disease and cancer — with little thought given to treating those whose suffering originates inside the cages of the mind. In essence, Improving Mental Healthcare is a book about 1) identifying ways to make the process of seeking care for a mental disorder better; and 2) implementing these measures in a practical and meaningful way. As a writer, Hermann is thoughtful in his analysis, and he speaks to all segments of the profession (with the material having a particular impact to the practicing clinician who should immediately see himself entwined in these pages).

Recommended as a general reference for all Health Science libraries. Further recommended for all hospital administrators and public health officials as guide on how to formulate measures which will streamline and bolster the way we treat those with mental illness.

THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING TEXTBOOK OF MOOD DISORDERS. Edited by Dan J. Stein. David J. Kupfer. Alan F. Schatzberg. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

Stitching together some of the leading voices in psychology, APPI’s Textbook of Mood Disorders is the literal bible in this arena detailing the most current data on mood disorders (including diagnosis and treatment). In terms of impact on society, mood disorders are one of the most prevalent forms of illness encountered by physicians and they place an extraordinarily high burden on America’s resources. Here, Stein and his co-writers dissect the topic from its foundational perspective in order to paint a clear picture for students and practitioners on how to identify symptoms and move toward effective treatment options. Topics covered are vast, including all types of mood disorders (Psychotic Depression; Seasonal Affective Disorder; Secondary Depression based on medical illness; Major Depression; Substance abuse; and Sleep Disorders). In addition, the authors document treatment options for each class of disorder (such as Pharmacotherapy; Brain stimulation techniques; and various Psychotherapies regimens). Stein and his co-writers also do an outstanding job of leading us through a comprehensive exploration of the epidemiology of these forms of mental illness (after placing them in a certain historical context which serves to give the reader a true understanding of the impact these conditions have had on the world at large).

Of Related Interest

THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING TEXTBOOK OF PSYCHOANALYSIS. Edited by Ethel S. Person. Arnold M. Cooper. Glen O. Gabbard. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.

A natural companion to Stein’s treatise on Mood Disorders, this text talks about every aspect of psychoanalysis (from theory and concept to treatment and technique). The editors have created a resource here that would be particularly useful to doctors who are in the midst of treating patients as the authors’ability to discuss psychoanalysis in broad terms evinces that this is a complicated and ever-changing area that requires practitioners to be creative and search within (their ultimate goal to gain patient trust and unlock the hidden vaults of the self). Noted for its impeccable research and clear writing, Textbook of Psychoanalysis offers both students and physicians a wealth of data and inspires deeper study of the discipline.

Each of these selections are highly recommended as in-office references: practicing Psychiatrists/Psychologists will find these to be all-inclusive handbooks that speak to the reality that physicians on the ‘frontlines’ encounter. Further recommended to all Health Science libraries as general references — these books embody the idea of a library reference in every way.

Go to appi.org for additional information.

DEMENTIA. From Diagnosis to Management – A Functional Approach. Michelle S. Bourgeois. Ellen M. Hickey. Psychology Press.

 This text marks a major addition to the field of scientific literature, a reference dedicated to assisting physicians with both the diagnosis and treatment of patients who present with dementia. Here, authors Bourgeois and Hickey have taken a multi-pronged approach to reviewing the causes, neuropsychological manifestations and complicating factors specific to the dementia patient. In essence, the goal of this text is to help the reader gain a complete understanding of dementia so that better treatment can be offered to the afflicted. Accordingly, the authors do an especially good job at showing readers that any treatment plan must consider ways to make patients more functional (while concurrently increasing their day-to-day quality of life).

This title noted for its comprehensive tone and careful editing that come together to build this compendium of facts into the authoritative voice in its field.

Also of Interest from Psychology Press

LANGUAGE AND THE COGNITIVE PROCESS. Volume 23. Number 4. June 2008. (A Special Issue). Guest Editors: Matthew Goldrick; Albert Costa; Niels O. Schiller. Psychology Press. This special broadside examines the role of language in the learning process, and it would certainly serve as a worthwhile supplemental text in any advanced psychology course that explores facets of the cognitive process.

NEUROCOGNITIVE APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. “A Festschrift For Uta Frith.” Presented as a special issue of the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. Guest Editors: Dorothy V.M. Bishop; Margaret J. Snowling; Sarah-Jayne Blakemore. Psychology Press. This selection celebrates the work of Uta Frith, whose tireless exploration into developmental neuropsychology has helped to illuminate practicing psychologists while furthering the treatment of patients who present with developmental cognitive disorders. This volume is notable for its breadth and depth as it confronts topics such as autism and psychopathy with Frith’s unflinching eye.

EXPLORING THE DIMENSIONS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY. Third Edition. Jerrold S. Greenberg. Clint E. Bruess. Sarah C. Conklin. Jones and Bartlett.

This outstanding text surveys the core-points of sexuality, examining the intricacies of desire and attraction that bring members of the human species together. What is best about this teaching manual is that it carefully addresses the fact that human sexuality is multi-dimensional: A byproduct of spiritual, psychological, and social factors that blend together to help each individual form their own private sexuality. It is important for students of this discipline to note that people and their approaches to sexuality are all different, and thus what is right for one person might not be right for the other. Accordingly, Exploring The Dimensions does an exemplary job at addressing this point in cogent and understandable terms, opening up for discussion the question of just what factors assemble to create our sexual identities. In addition, Greenberg and his co-writers show readers that their sexual actions can indeed have decided consequences in terms of the transmission of sexually-based diseases. Given the present state of youth in our society (most notably the rising rate of teenage pregnancy) these topics are of core-importance and they should be taught to all undergraduate college students as a means to foster an awareness of (and appreciation for) the idea of sexual responsibility.

Recommended as a teaching text in all undergraduate Psychology or Human Sexuality courses that address the effects of sexuality on the culture and on the individual. This particular selection is note worthy for its clarity and for its ability to tackle tough subjects with flair and dignity – inviting student participation rather than fostering alienation.

GROUP COUNSELING. Concepts and Procedures. Robert C. Berg. Garry L. Landreth. Kevin A. Fall. Routledge.

This serves as one of the best manuals presently in circulation premised on the use of group counseling in the treatment of psychological disorders. In the past, there has been on-going debate among psychologists regarding the effectiveness of group therapy. Yet, as the smoke has cleared, many practitioners continue to believe that group counseling can indeed be an effective path in maintaining the health of the patient – providing that these group sessions are conducted in a manner that allows the individual a certain level of comfort: The idea is to empower each assemblage of patients to want to participate in an honest exchange of their feelings. In this text, the authors write in clear and compact style, presenting a guidebook on the foundational concepts behind the practice of group counseling (in addition to an outline of procedures the clinician should follow in order to facilitate productive group sessions). Some of the most enlightening information is presented in the chapter on how the psychologist should work through issues of resistance, using the process as a means to bring patients to a deeper comfort zone. Going further, readers will find strong chapters on other common trouble-areas that surface in group counseling situations (as well as suggestions on how practitioners should structure group sessions in order to motivate meaningful patient participation).

Recommended as a primary teaching text in advanced psychology courses that focus on modes of therapy/treatment (and the physician’s ultimate role in the process). Noted for its organization and clear delineation of its subject matter. 

Of Related Interest

CHOOSING METHODS IN MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH. Mental Health Research From Theory to Practice. Edited by Mike Slade and Stefan Priebe. Routledge.

This text is devoted to teaching students and clinicians how to choose proper research methods when examining mental health/scientific questions. The basic premise of Choosing Methods is to show scientists that the path they take in dissecting a given problem will have a direct influence on both the data discovered and the way future medical communities collectively come together to initiate treatment plans. This book is extremely important to advanced students of psychology because it does an exemplary job in outlining research methods applicable to the study of psychiatric medicine. In addition to painting a practical picture on how the art of the research study can inspire generations of clinicians, it also seeks to demonstrate that researchers need to know the probable demographic they are attempting to reach before their study begins (settling on a method that fits both the scope of the project and the target audience it hopes to capture). If these elements intersect at the same time, then the information extrapolated will likely have a profound impact on the reader (in turn making the data applicable to the practicing physician in the course of patient treatment).

Recommended to psychology instructors teaching courses focused on implementing useful mental health research projects. In addition, this text should be on reserve in all college-level libraries: It proves vital to all students of science who can use the information presented by Slade and Priebe to conduct viable research studies in a multiplicity of areas.

Also of Note From Routledge Psychology

PERSONALITY DISORDERS AND EATING DISODERS. Exploring the Frontier. Edited by Randy A. Sansone. John L. Levitt. Routledge.

This book marks a terribly important point of reference for the young psychologist, as this treatise by Sansone and Levitt sets forth a clear link between personality and eating disorders. Basically, those with eating disorders are exhibiting self-destructive behavior rooted in the blunt-force of some deeper psychological injury. However, in the past, psychologists often neglected to appreciate the intersection of symptoms, often treating each disorder independently instead of as intricately related processes. Here, Sansone and Levitt do a masterful job at stripping away obsolete preconceptions, striving to show how practitioners of psychotherapy can learn to look at the whole patient and not just bits and pieces of a person. If mental health specialists can do this, they will likely gain a clearer understanding of why an individual is troubled, in turn enjoying a far better chance of treating the impetus behind the patient’s pain. As the authors infer, the walls within the human mind form over time and in reaction to myriad traumas. Consequently, many humans learn to cope with their suffering via a reliance on things like food, alcohol, and narcotics, hiding from themselves. Yet, the very best psychologists know how to look beyond the first clinical picture, working to unlock the door to the individual core.

Highly recommended as a primary text in courses focused on teaching techniques of psychotherapy for patients who present with eating disorders.

OBESITY AND MENTAL DISORDERS. Susan L. McElroy. David B. Allison. George A. Bray. Taylor and Francis/Informa.

This volume very much warrants serious review by the medical community as a whole, and not just by physicians dedicated to psychiatric care. In 21^st century society, there is a literal epidemic of obesity, as individuals sometimes carrying as much as double their required body weight suffer from myriad secondary disorders, including heart disease; crippling arthritis; and diabetes.

Further, there has been on-going investigation among scientific researchers as whether a true correlation exists between obesity and mental illness. And the authors write: “Many emerging lines of evidence suggest that reexamination of the relationship between obesity and mental disorders are in order, particularly for mental health professionals. In this regard, the significant overlap between obesity and psychopathology in clinical populations may be the most important…”

In this volume, McElroy and her co-writers carefully deconstruct their subject in careful terms, attempting to draw tangible links between the life-altering afflictions of obesity and mental illness.

After reviewing the history of obesity, the authors look to the connection between being over-weight and the onset of psychotic disorders. Accordingly, there are insightful and thought-inducing chapters on topics like mood disorders and obesity; the increase of cardiovascular risk factors concurrent with schizophrenia; obesity and impulsive/compulsive mood disorders; and a crisp breakdown of the relationship between body fat and various diseases (hypertension; diabetes; dyslipidemia). Moreover, relevant discussion as to treatment options for obesity with and without psychopathology has been included.

In addition to the in depth data presented here, this book is absolutely vital to the mindset of the medical professional, since this material seeks to draw tangible links between obesity and various mental breakdowns. And going further, the authors also examine ways that doctors and other healthcare professionals can begin treating individuals who present with obesity-related illness.

The most important bit of data for the doctor to take from this book is to understand that an overweight person might be fighting more than physical illness; in addition, they may be suffering from some form of mental disorder, too. Thus, when dealing with an obese patient, a course of therapy should be developed that accounts for concomitant attention to both the mind and the body.

This text should be a required reading for all student-doctors looking to gain certification in internal medicine, for there is an important lesson to be learned here: That physical illness is often the byproduct of myriad issues that require the patient’s mental state to be taken into full consideration. All doctors would be well- served to learn this early in their careers and then incorporate the perspective into rituals of daily patient care.

Order from booksmd.com.

Of Related Interest

HYPNOSIS AND TREATING DEPRESSION. Michael D. Yapko, Editor. Routledge.

Hypnosis has long been thought of as a taboo in traditional medical circles – a last-gasp backroom treatment option that only the most radical physicians would consider. However, the times have indeed changed, and hypnosis is now seen as quite a viable treatment plan to be used in conjunction with counseling and pharmacological therapies.

In this very profound text, Yapko (director of The Milton H. Erickson Institute of San Diego) gathers contributions from the leading thinkers in the field who write compelling essays on ways that therapists might be able to integrate hypnosis into care-plans for those suffering from myriad forms of on-going depression.

What is best about this text and Yapok’s perspective is that he is seeking to draw scientists out of their insulated cocoons and formulaic worlds, asking that they move within themselves and become creative – the idea is to use a broad sampling of different treatment options to help heal the wounds that bruise and cripple the human psyche.

This perspective is absolutely vital to students who are approaching the end of their programs and about to be licensed to practice psychiatric medicine. It seems obvious that future success in this field will require practitioners to abandon preconceptions about cutting-edge therapies like hypnosis, looking to consider such treatment options on an individual basis. To this end, Yapko and contributors make a compelling case for hypnotically-based treatment plans to become a common alternative for patients in the dark throes of depression.

Recommended a supporting text in courses that focus on treating depression. Further recommended to all Health Science libraries as a general reference text.

Order from booksmd.com.

CLINICAL TRIALS IN PSYCHIATRY. Second Edition. Brian S. Everitt. Simon Wessely. John Wiley.

The study of science is premised on research models. Going further, medical science is steeped in the ‘clinical trial,’ whereby the investigator/researcher tests the effectiveness and safety of a treatment regimen or medication. However, the concept of the clinical trial can sometimes be flawed – its scope or design too limited to provide a thorough dissection of a given theory. Moreover, the clinical trial as it relates to psychiatry can be particularly challenging, since there are so many competing approaches to treatment of the mentally ill. Accordingly, Everitt and Wessely have created an invaluable guidebook on how to conduct a useful psychiatry trial. Topics of coverage include how to differentiate between good and bad psychiatry treatments; a foundational overview of the clinical trial; how to design an effective trial; problems unique to clinical trials in psychiatry; statistical issues in psychiatric trials; data interpretation in psychiatric trials; how to manage the psychiatric trial; and a well-detailed chapter on writing a useful trial report. What sets this volume apart is in the way the authors have organized their treatise. In sum, their style is concise without sacrificing detail (as it creates an in depth analysis of the clinical trial that grounds the reader in the practical world). Many times, writers working on such specialized research guides often speak to their audience with pedantic certainty, lecturing in a lofty tone that sometimes disregards the particular challenges inherit to the clinical setting. However, here, Everitt and Wessely do just the opposite – gripping their audience with true-to-life examples that paint an accurate picture of the minefields one should expect when orchestrating a clinical trail in psychiatry.

This one-of-a-kind resource should be required reading for all researchers and research-clinicians in the field of psychiatry. In addition, this volume comes highly recommended to all Health Science libraries for both its long-term reference value and its authoritative voice.

Go to wiley.com for further information.

by John Aiello

EMPATHY AND FAIRNESS, No. 278. Novartis Foundation. John Wiley. This is quite an important book in relation to science’s ultimate mission to realize a deeper understanding of human behavior. Here, the authors dissect and analyze the underlying human emotions of empathy and fairness. It has been widely theorized by psychologists that the human ability to feel empathy is what limits complete emotional anarchy. Simply, without empathy for how our actions affect others, people would likely run rampant. This text is one of the only books of its kind to examine these basic components of the human psyche, exploring the different behavior patterns and belief systems that make us act as we do. Empathy and fairness are concepts that have far-reaching impact, as these ideals are prevalent in most exchanges (including those related to economics and medical science); simply, they are the driving forces which help us to formulate symbiotic relationships and create enduring communities. In this volume, the Novartis Foundation explores empathy and fairness from the perspectives of multiple disciplines (social cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, evolutionary anthropology, economics and neuropathology) as a means to show the reader that these two mental processes, when melded together, create the uniqueness of the human specimen.

Recommended to all psychologists an in-office resource. Recommended as a supporting class text in psychology and anthropology courses that focus on the reasons humans behave as they do. Finally, recommended to all college-level libraries as a unique general reference with long-range value.

by John Aiello

BIPOLAR PSYCHOPHARMACOTHERAPY: CARING FOR THE PATIENT. Hagop S. Akiskal. Maurcio Tohen. John Wiley and Sons.

Bipolar Disorder is of growing concern in the medical community as physicians struggle to recognize its symptoms and then effectively treat the condition before secondary health problems develop to cause the patient increased suffering.

As the authors note in their book, Bipolar Disorder is an affliction that requires life-long management on the part of patient if they are to control the symptoms and lead productive lives. In conjunction with therapy and a greater awareness of the self, a carefully defined drug-therapy regimen must be developed so as to adequately manage this problem.

Accordingly, Bipolar Psychopharmacotherapy (from Wiley) examines the major drug therapies available to physicians in relation to treating the myriad phases of Bipolar Disorder — the authors careful to note that each differing stage of the condition requires a change in focus on the part of the physician. In short, the text reviews the most common medicines presently in use and further evaluates the existing research that’s been done to date on Bipolar Disorder, presenting the reader with a complete overview of this troubling malady.

The most valuable thing about this text for the practicing physician is the way that Bipolar Psychopharmacotherapy records the pharmacological advances that have taken place in this field of study. Now, no longer are doctors hamstrung by having only a few drugs to chose from (in the past Lithium and Chlorpromazine were the drugs of choice for various conditions caused by mania). However, today, clinicians have a wide array of drugs to choose from which allow for a course of therapy to be designed for the individual, emphasizing ways to best treat problematic symptoms while mitigating side effects.

In addition to the cutting edge discussion of the various drug therapies available to the Bipolar patient, Akiskal and Tohen also assert that combination courses of treatment (whichinclude psychotherapy and patient education) must be utilized in order to maintain long-term control over this disorder. Other notable features include data on “special management issues” (such as caring for elderly and child patients who present with Bipolar Disorder), thus rendering this a multifaceted text with broad clinical value.

Recommended as an in-office reference for the practicing physician who treats the Bipolar patient. Further recommended to all Health Science libraries as a general reference text.

by John Aiello

Oxford University Press

MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS. Frederick K. Goodwin. Kay Redfield Jamison. Oxford University Press.

This text sets the bar for clinicians and students seeking to build a better understanding of bipolar disorder (also referred to as manic-depressive illness). For the last 60 years, researchers in psychiatry have worked to deepen their understanding of bipolar disorder, using this knowledge to better treat patients and restore their quality of life.

Originally published in 1990 (and now in its second edition), Manic-Depressive Illness serves as a comprehensive resource that compiles the latest research in the field as it analyzes bipolar disorder from myriad perspectives.

The fledgling edition of the text had carefully dissected bipolar disorder from a point-of-view that included both the patient and care-giver, additionally looking at the affliction in terms of its impact on quality of life and life-production.

Historically, such poets as Hart Crane, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Charles Baudelaire struggled against invisible demons which dwelled in the webs of their own minds (causing severe depression while simultaneously inspiring great art). In the wake of this phenomenon, science has been challenged to understand how such terrific pain could sire such timeless artistic achievement (and the initial Goodwin-Jamison text was bold enough to make deep inroads into this territory).

Now, with the second edition of their treatise, the authors shift gears a bit and look into the questions of how best to attack the issues of diagnosis and treatment. Accordingly, Goodwin and Jamison, working together with other leading thinkers in the field, examine research-advances that have taken place during the last decade as they pertain to both biological and genetic causes for manic-depressive illness.

At this point, readers are able to apply these new circles of thought directly to patient treatment. Simply, the underlying premise of this book is to use advancements in science to enrichen the quality of life for bipolar patients while lessening the frequency and duration of incapacitating events (in addition to mitigating violent outbursts and the risk of suicide).

Manic-Depressive Illness stands above other selections in the field because of its organization and the clarity of presentation, in addition to the way it reveals the most ‘cutting-edge’ thinking in the field. In sum, these attributes, when stitched together, render this book the authority in its field.

This text is an imperative in-office resource for all psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers engaged in the direct treatment of patients who present with manic-depressive illness. In addition, Manic-Depressive Illness would serve as a fine supporting class text in advanced psychiatry programs, since this material puts the student-doctor in direct contact with the core of the disorder they will be called on to control when treating the manic-depressive patient. Finally, recommended to all Health Science libraries as a general reference text.

by John Aiello

INTER-ACT: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS, SKILLS, AND CONTEXTS. 11th Edition. Rudolph F. Verderber. Kathleen S. Verderber. Oxford University Press.

In this text, Rudolph and Kathleen Verderber present a guide that shows students just what kind of commitment is necessary in order to create meaningful and lasting relationships. Simply, the human ability to create communities and layered systems of exchange is what sets us apart from other mammalian species.

Here, the authors strive to show students how to interact with their peers and with society in general. Topics of coverage include both verbal and non-verbal modes of communication; developing and refining communicative skills; how to conduct effective conversations and how to listen; ways to communicate in the diverse landscape of the workplace; and how to communicate safely and effectively in these brave new worlds of internet chat rooms and e-mail.

As we move into the 21st century, students are more technologically savvy than ever. However, this increased knowledge of the computer and its myriad languages has not come without a price: As aptitude of the computer has increased, so too has the student’s ability to write well and communicate verbally suffered – a likely victim of the false security internet communication offers, this invisible realm where you can ‘speak’ without being hurt by a disapproving eye.

Obviously, this has harmed our culture, as our younger generations become less-and-less equipped for the inevitable demands of society. Bluntly, the ability to communicate is still the greatest skills-set one can amass and no amount of computer savvy will change this fact.

Think about it: In a job interview, you are judged on your ability to present yourself – both verbally and in writing. Consequently, those individuals who can communicate effectively are often the most successful, since they have trained their critical minds to assess situations and then act on the data that they have extrapolated.

In this text, the authors carefully provide a fundamental guidebook which offers pertinent direction on ways for students to approach social interaction. In essence, the ultimate ‘pointof the story’ is that communication is not some hollow classroom exercise to be mastered for a test, but instead, a life-long endeavor which will dictate how far you go in both your professional and personal lives.

Recommended as a primary teaching text in all under-graduate communications and journalism courses, noted for its organization and its clarity and for the authors’ distinct ability to write in a way that is immediately accessible to the student-reader.

THE STRENGTHS MODEL: CASE MANAGEMENT WITH PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES. Charles A. Rapp. Richard J. Goscha. Oxford University Press.

Can individuals with psychiatric disabilities be healed? The question has been bandied about by mental health professionals for decades. And the common thinking now is that, with a proper balance of pharmacological therapies and counseling, patients can indeed come to regain their confidence and reclaim a vital place within the framework of society.

Here, authors Rapp and Goscha take an incisive look at ways that providers can best manage treatment plans for those with psychiatric impairments. Accordingly, The Strengths Model offers health care treatment professionals with a practical and effective path through which to manage and advance long-term patient care.

Basically, physicians in all realms of medicine must realize that effective patient care comes via methods and approaches that keep the interest of the individual firmly in mind. Bluntly, it’s not about what works best for the doctor; instead, it’s about what is best for the well-being of each patient.

In this text, the authors provide a full overview of the Model, showing how this approach can fit into the ‘recovery paradigm’ (as physicians come to focus on integrating the patient into the schematics of the treatment plan). To this end, the text provides a fine summary of the Model in terms of its underlying theory, concepts and principles as we touch upon ways practitioners might extend its core principles to the day-to-day lives of patients.

This selection is notable for both its organization and writing style – as the authors strive to create passages that are accessible and informative to both the student audience and the practicing professional. This is a one-of-a-kind resource that has broad reach: The idea here is to show that treatment of individuals with mental disabilities takes dedicated and creative physicians who are able to treat while they teach; simply, patients cannot truly get better until they are able to learn about themselves.

The Strengths Model is a unique and probing text that serves as both a teaching tool and an-office resource – this ‘model’ that focuses not only controlling symptoms but on finding ways to heal the scars they cause.

Recommended as a teaching text in graduate-level courses that touch on developing treatment plans for individuals with mental health disabilities. Further recommended to Health Science libraries as a general reference text.

by John Aiello

MALE AND FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION. Allen D. Seftel. Associate Editors: Harin Padma-Nathan. Chris G. McMahon. Francois Giuliano. Stanley E. Althof. Mosby.

Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction is a text marked by many revolutionary features, including cutting-edge analysis of new research in the field of female sexual dysfunction (and appropriate treatments). In light of the attention focused on the advent of Viagra to treat impotency, sexual dysfunction is no longer a topic that must remain hidden from view. Instead, patients are more comfortable talking to their physicians about their problems and ways to deal with them.

Accordingly, Mr. Seftel’s has written a book to assist the clinician with diagnosis and treatment plans — his text truly comprehensive in scope, written in a succinct and economical style, always careful never to lose sight of the fact that doctors need information in a clear and straight forward manner (noting that) “…sexual medicine has matured into an almost full-fledged subspecialty of the medical sciences…which does not belong to either sex or to one specialty area of medicine It deals with one of the most common international human maladies…” (From Ira D. Sharlip’s Foreword).

Male/Female covers all facets of sexual dysfunction as they relate to both sexes, with well-developed chapters on “Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction” and Peyronie’s Disease. As previously noted, the book does not ignore female dysfunction as many of its predecessors have; instead, women’s issues are addressed in detail, with an emphasis on treatment.

Recommended for urologists, internists and primary care physicians as an in-office reference manual. Should also be considered as a class text by instructors in advanced urology programs because of its detailed analysis of the subject matter – the writing clear, concise and conducive to addressing the focus of the student. Further recommended to Health Science libraries as a general reference text.

Order from booksmd.com or go to us.elsevierhealth.com.

A HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY IN LETTERS. Ludy Benjamin. Blackwell Publishing.

This text serves as a successful attempt to remove Psychology textbooks from the stoic face they have worn for decades. Here, Benjamin (Texas A&M University) has taken a unique approach to teaching psychology, presenting a compilation of letters written by key players within the discipline.

Basically, A History Of Psychology takes the study of psychology out of its ‘box’ and broadens its landscapes — suddenly student-readers are allowed to look at the inner-workings of the mind in a less structured setting, peering into the heads of these great thinkers as they expand on topics of interest and relevance to their generations.

To this end, one of the most engaging segments of the text is found in Kenneth B. Clark’s analysis of the landmark Brown v. Board decision. In Clark’s paper, we see the magnitude that this case had on world-wide thought and on the structure of education. And what actually makes this new for the student is that they are not so much reading a structured academic presentation, but instead, digesting a summary of Brown v Board from an almost journalistic point of view (as Clark dissects layers of the decision in relation to his contemporaries and his community).

In addition, the material on John Locke is deeply illuminating, showing the growth of this man through the layered tongues of his work and thought process. Also notable is the material on Darwinism — re-enforcing in the mind of the student just how acrimonious past battles over what could be taught in the classroom were.

At its best moments, A History Of Psychology is able to personalize the study of psychology by revealing private segments of the minds of its brightest beacons, demonstrating how these men and women struggled to find their paths (in turn helping to humanize the ancient lines of the educational process along the way). The ultimate lesson for the student is to show that the quest to learn does not begin and end in the classroom; to the contrary, this journey extends to all facets of life and to all dimensions of our professional and personal relationships.

Recommended as class text in second-level undergraduate courses that marry study of the primary voices in psychology with the history of the discipline.

by John Aiello

Of Related Interest

PSYCHOLOGY AND YOU. Third Edition. Julia Berryman. Elizabeth. Kevin Howells. David Hargreaves. Diane Wilbur. Blackwell Publishing.

Now in its 3rd edition, Psychology and You is recognized by instructors across the country who use it as a primary teaching tool in their classrooms. The text provides a well-rounded introduction to the principles of psychological study, with wide-ranging coverage of topics that include discussion of body language, personality traits, the differences between the sexes, emotional make-up, the human brain, life stages, psychological disorders, and careers in the field. The text is notable for its sharply written passages that build a bridge from psychological concepts to everyday patterns of behavior. Immediately, students are placed in context with the material that they are analyzing, and this approach can’t help but consume the attention of these young readers who are often on quests for deeper self awareness.

Highly recommended as a front-line choice in Introduction to Psychology courses at the undergraduate level.

Order at amazon.com.

PSYCHOLOGY. Robert J. Sternberg. Thomson/Wadsworth.

Now in its 4th edition, this sparkling text by Professor Sternberg (Yale University) is a true benchmark in the field: notable not only for its comprehensive coverage of one the most popular disciplines in the college curriculum, but also because of its uniqueness. Even though the book is written for entry level psychology students, Sternberg is inventive in his approach, moving though the material in a way that forces students to interact and analyze as they are reading. Moreover, each chapter contains a summary that allows readers to test themselves on the concepts that have been covered, and then apply the findings. In this regard, students are being taught the fundamental practices that all psychologists use in the field — this constant ‘learn-relearn-verify-analyze’ step-ladder is constantly being used in the discipline as deeper exploration into the depth of the human mind is achieved. Sternberg’s treatise is broad in scope, with coverage of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and psychophysic aspects of psychology stitched together expertly to allow the novice student to move into the real ‘meat’ of the course material: the idea here is to build and sharpen and hone the student’s interest to a point where deeper knowledge is sought. At this point, the student will naturally start to consider a career in Psychology. Aside from the substantive analysis, the other thing that stands out about this up-dated edition is its organization, as shaper editing has made for a more logical presentation of material, rendering it easier to both read and understand.

Recommended for all entry level or Psychology 1A courses for its unique ability to teach the fundamental principles of the subject while promoting a thirst for deeper exploration into the field. Further recommended to all college-level libraries as a general reference text.

Of Related Interest

KAGAN AND SEGAL’S PSYCHOLOGY. AN INTRODUCTION. Don Baucum. Carolyn D. Smith. Thomson/Wadsworth. Another top-flight introductory-level Psychology text comes in the form of Kagan and Segal’s Psychology. Now in its ninth edition, this book covers the core topics of the discipline in a manner that is inviting to the novice student. The authors have done a significant job in their formatting and writing, arriving at a style that is truly “user-friendly’ – with the major concepts and theories in the field explored in less formal prose, the material is much easier to navigate. This is important since many freshman students are ill-prepared for the amount of reading that they must do in college and are many times scared away from psych courses because of the rigorous study demands. However, this text eradicates some of that anxiety, while still maintaining a high standard in conveying the information necessary to move on to the next level in the field.

Recommended for all entry level or Psychology 1A courses — covering the material in a comprehensive manner. In addition, the text costs $40 – a true price value for the student. Instructors may want to consider this text for Psychology 1A courses and move to the Sternberg title for the 1B class. Further recommended to all college-level libraries as a general reference text.

Order from amazon.com or go to wadsworth.com.

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT. Muriel D. Lezak. Diane B. Howieson. David W. Loring. Oxford University Press.

Major reference text published by Oxford University Press detailing advances in the assessment of neuropsychological afflictions in both clinical and research realms. Here, Lezak (Oregon Health Sciences University), Howieson (Oregon Health Science University) and Loring (Georgetown University) have completely revised their material for this fourth edition, adding nearly 4,000 new references that comprise the most recent thinking on the subject.

Accordingly, the book is a veritable graduate course in the field of psychological assessment, and readers will find information chronicling the most effective ways psychologists have to evaluate and examine the inner workings of the brain. In addition to discussion of the psychological aspects of the human mind, there is also information on brain injury and vascular disorders and their impact on human health. Testing data includes a well-developed chapter on memory and ways for the physician to investigate memory loss and pin-pint cause (invaluable information given recent projections for increases in Alzheimer’s Disease in the next 20 years). In addition to the testing data, information on rating results is included, along with a detailed appendix noting test publishers and distributors.

In recent months, Health Science publishers have been accused of chasing editions in order to force students to needlessly repurchase books at top dollar. However, in this case, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, the authors have provided their readers with the most pertinent information available – a text written in classic academic style that addresses each subject and sub-subject in deep detail, escorting the student from point-to-point in a well-organized fashion.

It is because of this fact that this book will not only prove useful as a library research tool, but also as an in-office guide for the practicing psychiatrist. Moreover, because of the expert dissertations and the careful editing, Neuro is serviceable as a teaching text for the classroom in all graduate programs in the fields of Psychology and Neuropsychology.

As previously noted, recommended to all Health Science libraries at the University level. Would also serve the graduate psychology student well as a class text. Is a must-have for all clinicians in the field for use as a reference companion regarding patient diagnosis and treatment.

Order at amazon.com or at booksmd.com.

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. In and Out Of the Laboratory. Kathleen M. a. Thomson/Wadsworth. Galotti, a Professor of Psychology from Carleton College, has authored the authoritative text in the field of Cognitive Psychology — a textbook that looks at the way the human mind moves and absorbs and learns in its journey through life. Many unique ideas come to the student here, but there is especially meaningful material on memory and perception, visual images as a learning tool, and the interconnection between thought/reasoning/and problem solving. The underlying idea here is not to just teach the student factual data to pass a course, but instead, to teach them about how they learn so that they can come to better know themselves. Written in an accessible and clearly perceived style, this is a hallmark text that provides one-stop shopping for psych students in the area of cognitive study. With this text in hand, the student pretty much has the whole subject covered; thus, they will begin to more clearly understand how individual personalities and traits are acquired. The third edition comes with free access to InfoTrac College Edition.

Recommended as a teaching text in any course presenting fundamental cognitive topics. A must-have for all college-level libraries as a general reference text (noted for its exhaustive coverage of a terribly complex subject).

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THE ESSENTIALS OF CONDITIONING AND LEARNING. Michael Domjan. Wadsworth. The essence of this slim handbook is in its hard-driving style — unadorned and free of needless weight, Domjan’s text explores the ways the human mind has been conditioned to learn. As the author notes, humans confront the challenge of learning from many different angles and in relation to the environment in which they live. Essentials sets out to teach its readers to promptly recognize aspects of the learning process. Domjan begins his discourse with a summary of basic concepts and topic definitions, then expands on each subject area in well-delineated chapters. Thus, the student is taught to reach into the self and then move toward a complete understanding of the structure of behavior — analyzing others through this deeper relationship with the self. Domjan (University of Texas) has done many smart things here in constructing this text — but what we liked the most is the carefully drafted chapter summaries which allow the student to retest his knowledge of the information that’s just been presented.

Highly recommended for any course dealing with cognitive topics. Recommended as a general reference to all college-level libraries.

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: ANXIETY. Trevor Turner. Churchill Livingstone. Your Questions Answered is a fledgling series of handbooks published by Churchill Livingstone, offering clear, concise and thorough commentary on the diagnosis, treatment and management of a variety of illnesses. Your Questions Answered is a true breakthrough in health science publishing, for these are books that come with a dual purpose — meant for both the medical professional and the general reader alike. These books, written in an effortless question and answer format, educate by answering typical patient questions, reducing answers to the basics — here, the point is to educate and not to lecture (similar in purpose and scope to the Mayo Clinic’s Family Healthbook).

In this volume, Trevor Turner (Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director of Research and Development at Homerton and St. Bartholomew’s Hospitals in London), examines the affliction of anxiety, outlining clinical guidelines on diagnosis and management. Anxiety is an especially important installment in the Your Questions series, since so many people throughout the world are plagued by the sudden and pronounced onset of inexplicable fear (a classic early symptom of Panic Disorder).

In Anxiety, Turner takes both patient and doctor step-by-step through the condition, detailing symptomatology, causation and associated psychiatric disorders. From there, the author looks at ways to treat anxiety in patients, exploring both drug and non-drug treatment therapies. Finally, there are several detailed case studies included that have inherent value to both doctor and patient: while physicians will find this material useful as a teaching tool, these cases studies also have real meaning for the anxiety sufferer — profoundly telling him that he “is not alone.” The volume concludes with an extremely useful section on support and information services available to those with anxiety disorder. Similar to the other installments in the series, readers will note subtle differences between UK and American spelling and a few awkward passages (again due to language clash), but these stumbling points do not impact the over-all value of the book.

Would be a useful addition to all high school, university and public libraries illuminating a condition that affects adults, teens and children.

Also highly recommended for pharmacies that sell reference manuals on health and fitness subjects. Others in the series include studies on hypertension, diabetes and allergy (to be examined in future editions of The Electric Review).

Order from amazon.com or go to us.elsevierhealth.com.