Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a severe mental illness which has a substantial impact on the sufferer, carers, and mental health services. Its impact is similar to that of schizophrenia. However, in contrast to schizophrenia, it has, until recently, been almost entirely neglected by psychological researchers. It is only in the last few years that substantial psychological research programmes in the UK and USA have begun to explore the role of psychosocial factors in the disorder. Yet an understanding of these influences will be essential for those trying to understand how we can treat those suffering from BPD. This volume is the first to bring together reviews of the exciting developments taking place in this field, with chapters from the leading researchers. It presents a broad overview of the psychological and psychosocial factors involved in bipolar disorder, including chapters, amongst others, on risk factors, early warning signs, and treatment.

When Viscount Castlereagh, leader of the House of Commons and architect of the Grand Alliance, committed suicide in 1822, the coroner's inquest could consider only two legal verdicts: insanity or self-murder. Public outrage greeted his burial in Westminster Abbey; the tradition lingered that a suicide's burial place be at a crossroads, with a stake through the heart to keep the lost soul from wandering. Probing a remarkable variety of sources and individual cases, Barbara Gates shows how attitudes toward suicide changed between Castlereagh's death and the end of the century. By 1900 the Victorians' moral censure of suicide and the accompanying denial that it was a widespread problem had been replaced by a more compassionate response--and also by an unfounded belief in a "suicide epidemic," which Thomas Hardy described as a "coming universal wish not to live.". Exposing a rich area of interaction between history and literature, and utilizing the methodology of the new historicism, Gates discusses topics ranging from the plot for Wuthering Heights to Victorian shilling shockers. Among other findings she includes evidence that Victorian middle-class men, particularly, tended to make suicide the province of other selves--of men belonging to other times or places, of "monsters," or of women. Originally published in 1988. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Nature and Narrative is the launch volume in a new series of books entitled International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry. The series will aim to build links between the sciences and humanities in psychiatry.

Our ability to decipher mental disorders depends to a unique extent on both the sciences and the humanities. Science provides insight into the 'causes' of a problem, enabling us to formulate an 'explanation', and the humanities provide insight into its 'meanings' and helps with our 'understanding'. Psychiatry, if it is to develop as a balanced discipline, must draw on input from both of these spheres.

Nature (for causes) and Narrative (for meanings) will help define the series as a whole by touching on a range of issues relevant to this 'border country'. With contributions from an international star-studded cast, representing the field of psychiatry, psychology and philosophy, this volume will set the scene for this new interdisciplinary field.

This will be of interest to all those with practical experience of mental health issues, whether as providers or as users/consumers of services, as well as to philosophers, social scientists, and bioethicists.

Although it has been known for 100 years that cognitive functioning is impaired in schizophrenia, the implications of this impairment have only recently been clearly understood. While in the past, cognitive deficits were thought to be the result of other aspects of the illness, such as poor co- operation, or as a result of the treatment of the illness, it is now known that these factors exert only a very minor influence on cognitive deficit. This book, with contributions from the major international names in the field, reviews the most recent research on the impairment of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, covering: what it is, how wide-ranging it can be, what the clinical implications are, and how it can be treated? The book is divided into three sections. The first section provides background information on the important aspects of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia. The second section provides information on the correlates of cognitive functioning, examining classical symptoms of the illness, as well as social and adaptive functional deficits. The final section provides information on the treatment of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, from the older less effective treatments with conventional antipsychotics, to the developing treatment strategies using experimental compounds. A clear insight into cognitive deficit is the key to understanding why previous treatments have failed, and the key by which new treatments may change this terrible illness, treatments significantly more effective than earlier interventions.

This unique volume focuses on the relationship between basic research in emotion and emotional dysfunction in depression and anxiety. Each chapter is authored by a highly regarded scientist who looks at both psychological and biological implications of research relevant to psychiatrists and psychologists. And following each chapter is engaging commentary that raises questions, illuminates connections with other bodies of work, and provides points of integration across different research traditions. Topics range from stress, cognitive functioning, and personality to affective style and behavioral inhibition, and the book as a whole has significant implications for understanding and treating anxiety disorders.

This text describes principles for understanding and managing permanent neuropsychological impairment in brain-damaged adults. It also presents a new perspective on disorders of self-awareness and recovery as well as deterioration after brain injury, which have clear implications for neurorehabilitation.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been the subject of intense media debate over recent years. Such interest has been partially due to the scarcity of professional and scientific explorations of the topic - what is it, and what causes it? One school of thought argues that there is no medical basis to chronic fatigue and hence any such investigation is fruitless. An alternative view is that we should look at CFS purely as a physical problem, and that to attempt any psychological perspective is to trivialize the illness in the eyes of the sufferers. Chronic fatigue and its syndromes presents a comprehensive review of the problem of chronic fatigue, mixing medical, psychological, social, and historical perspectives. The book examines the historical origins of CFS, considering the epidemiology, and the various aetiological theories for the condition - viral, immunological, psychological, psychiatric, and neurological. The book concludes with a clinical section discussing the assessment and treatment of CFS. Throughout, the authors argue that chronic fatigue and its various syndromes cannot easily be pigeon holed into physical or psychological categories, and that the ambiguous nature of the illness actually provides us with a valuable chance to explore contemporary attitudes to sickness and health, one not offered by better defined or classified disorders.

*Bestselling clinical resource, now revised and updated; 50% new material includes new and reorganized chapters. *Presents an effective approach for helping tough-to-treat kids whose emotional development has been derailed by chronic, multiple stressors. *Revised to focus on 8 core treatment targets (down from 10); also gives greater emphasis to building caregivers' skills. *Increased attention to applications in nontraditional settings (schools, day care, primary care practices) as well as clinical settings, responding to ways the approach is actually being used. *Includes 72 downloadable worksheets and handouts, with 31 new to this edition.

A leading psychoanalyst shares his experiences working with schizophrenic patients to show how effective talk therapy can be as a treatment Many schizophrenics experience their condition as one of radical incarceration, mind-altering medications, isolation, and dehumanization. At a time when the treatment of choice is anti-psychotic medication, world-renowned psychoanalyst Christopher Bollas asserts that schizophrenics can be helped by much more humane treatments, and that they have a chance to survive and even reverse the process if they have someone to talk to them regularly and for a sustained period, soon after their first breakdown. In this sensitive and evocative narrative, he draws on his personal experiences working with schizophrenics since the 1960's. He offers his interpretation of how schizophrenia develops, typically in the teens, as an adaptation in the difficult transition to adulthood. With tenderness, Bollas depicts schizophrenia as an understandable way of responding to our precariousness in a highly unpredictable world. He celebrates the courage of the children he has worked with and reminds us that the wisdom inherent in human beings-to turn to conversation with others when in distress-is the fundamental foundation of any cure for human conflict.

This book provides a unique perspective on what it is like to be brain damaged, seen through the eyes of doctors and neuroscientists who have themselves suffered a brain injury or brain illness. It brings together more than 50 personal stories written over 120 years. Each article in its own right represents a fascinating insight into the effects of brain damage on the individual, covering areas that are often neglected in neurology and neuropsychology textbooks. Each of the personal accounts is accompanied by a Commentary that puts the papers into the context of our current theory and clinical practice. There are sections covering memory disorders, language disorders, visual disorders, Parkinson's disease, brain tumour, stroke, head injury, and epilepsy. An introduction to each of these sections provides background information for the non-specialist reader. An Overview chapter attempts to integrate the lessons to be learned across the various sections. Injured brains of medical minds: views from within presents some extraordinary stories and makes a highly original introduction to neuropsychology and neurology. It is also an invaluable resource for anyone involved in neuropsychological or neurological research.

Psychological research into autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased exponentially in the last two decades. Much of this work has been led by various theorists who claim to have identified processes that hold the key to understanding the condition. As a consequence, newcomers to the field feel that they have to opt for one or more of the competing approaches and to neglect the remainder as being in some way wrong. In fact, the different theoretical perspectives are just that - different points of view on the same phenomenon - each with its own insights to offer. This is not to say that understanding ASD in psychological terms is just a matter of choosing a perspective and that all perspectives are of equal value. Clearly they are not.

This book, in addition to providing an outline of what current perspectives have to offer, also provides a framework to help readers to decide which aspects of psychological research into ASD contribute to our understanding of the field and how these can be integrated in a way that enables research to be taken forward.

Nancy Andreasen, fuhrende Neurowissenschaftlerin, Herausgeberin des angesehenen American Journal of Psychiatry und ausgezeichnet mit der National Medal of Science, zeigt uns in ihrem neuen Buch die Zusammenhange zwischen Gehirn und Genom. Dank modernster Methoden und Entdeckungen in Neurowissenschaften und Molekularbiologie wissen Forscher mehr denn je uber die Funktionen des Gehirns. Die Autorin beschreibt auf faszinierende und verstandliche Weise, wie alles zusammenhangt - von Milliarden kleinster Neuronen im Thalamus bis hin zur moralischen Kontrollinstanz im prafrontalen Kortex. Sie erklart die Entschlusselung des Genoms, dessen 30000-40000 Gene fast alle in irgendeiner Form in unserem Gehirn aktiv sind. In fesselnden Geschichten beleuchtet sie aber auch, wie sich psychische Storungen entwickeln und welche Auswirkungen sie auf Patienten und Angehorige haben. Nancy Andreasen gelingt der Bruckenschlag zwischen hochkomplexen Inhalten und spannender Lekture."

Finally a book for survivors written by a survivor
"Got Parts?" was written by a survivor of DID in association with her therapist and therapy group. This book is filled with successful coping techniques and strategies to enhance the day-to-day functioning of adult survivors of DID in relationships, work, parenting, self-confidence, and self-care. "Got Parts" will help you introduce yourself to your internal family and improve its communication, integration, and well-being. Although written to carefully avoid triggering, it delivers well-grounded guidelines for living that DID people need to do on the way to recovery. Coping strategies included help you with issues related to triggers, flashbacks, and body memories. "Got Parts" also includes a detailed list of outside resources you can draw on. This book is intended to be used in conjunction with a therapist and is not a substitute for therapy.
Once thought of as a rare and mysterious psychiatric curiosity, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is now understood to be a fairly common outcome of severe trauma in young children most typically extreme and repeated physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, and often lack of attachment. Formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder, DID is a condition in which a person has two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of the person's consciousness and behavior. Symptoms can include depression, mood swings, panic or anxiety attacks, substance abuse, memory loss, propensity for trances, sleep and eating disorders, distrust, detachment, lack of self-care, and distress or impairment at work.
Acclaim for "Got Parts>" from Therapists and Survivors
""Got Parts?" is a very well conceived and useful tool, particularly for those treating DID from a more functional perspective." -- Peter A. Maves, Ph.D., ISSD Fellow
"Got Parts is great tool for working therapeutically with ones internal family." -- Patricia Sherman, LCSW
"I particularly liked the chapter which emphasises the importance of taking care of body, mind and spirit holistically." -- Kathryn Livingston, Chairperson, First Person Plural (UK)
"I strongly recommend this book as a easily read, straightforward and insightful recovery tool for my clients with DID." -- Ian Landry, MA MSW RSW, Nova Scotia, Canada
"I will require got parts for new clients, refer it to other therapists and have even recommended it for others." -- Karen Hutchins, MA LPC
ATW's approach reflects that of Truddi Chase, a DID victim who prefers her alters live in a harmonious community. -- Metapsychology Online Review, Dec. 22, 2005
For more information please visit www.GotParts.org
From Loving Healing Press www.LovingHealing.com