"As a physician who specializes in addiction medicine and drug withdrawal and written widely on them, I recommend Dr. Breggin's book to every health professional who deals with anyone taking psychiatric drugs. He gives highly useful information and reasons for stopping or avoiding them. It's an excellent one-stop source of information about psychiatric drug effects and withdrawal. Prescribers, therapists, patients, and families will benefit from this guidebook." Charles L. Whitfield, MD
Bestselling author of "Healing the Child Within" and many other books

"Peter Breggin has more experience in safely withdrawing psychiatric patients from medication than any other psychiatrist. In this book he shares his lifetime of experience. All of our patients deserve the benefit of our obtaining that knowledge." Bertram Karon, PhD
Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University
Author, The Psychotherapy of Schizophrenia
Former President of the Division of Psychoanalysis of the American Psychological Association

"This is such an important book. Describing the problem of withdrawal from psychiatric drugs in detail, and providing clear advice regarding how to deal with this problem as Peter has done so well in this book, is long overdue. For decades, the belief system that is mainstream psychiatry has denied the existence of withdrawal problems from the substances they prescribe so widely. In reality, withdrawal problems with psychiatric drugs is a common occurrence. Because of psychiatry's reckless denial of this real and common problem, millions of people worldwide have not had the support and care they desperately need when attempting to come off psychiatric drugs, often been erroneously advised that these problems are confirmation of the existence of their supposed original so-called 'psychiatric illness.' Dr. Breggin's book is therefore both timely and necessary." Terry Lynch, MD
Physician and Psychotherapist
Author of "Beyond Prozac: Healing Mental Suffering Without Drugs and Selfhood: A Key to the Recovering of
Emotional Well Being," "Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental Health Problems"

"Dr. Peter Breggin has written an invaluable reference for mental health professionals and lay-persons alike who are seeking a way out of dependency on psychiatric drugs. He describes the many dangers of psychiatric medication in straightforward research-based and contextually nuanced terms. Most helpfully, he articulates a method of empathic, person-centered psychotherapy as an alternative to the prevailing emotionally and system disengaged drug-centered approach. In this book, Dr. Breggin systematically outlines how to safely withdraw a patient from psychiatric medication with rich case examples drawn with the detail and sensitivity to individual and situational differences that reveal not only his extensive clinical experience, but his clear, knowledgeable, and compassionate vision of a more humane form of treatment. In this volume, Dr. Peter Breggin has again demonstrated that he is a model of what psychiatry can and should be. This is an indispensable text for both mental health trainees and experienced practitioners seeking a practical alternative to the dominant drug-centric paradigm." Gerald Porter, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs
School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute

"This much needed book and guide to psychiatric medication withdrawal is clearly written and easy to understand. As people become more empowered and able to inform themselves about the effects of pharmaceuticals, practitioners will be called upon to wean their patients off of damaging medications. This book will provide that guidance. Thank you Dr. Breggin for having the courage to oppose conventional psychiatric thinking and the caring to improve the quality of life for individuals who are ready to experience their own innate healing instead of reaching for a pill to mask the symptoms." Melanie Sears, RN, MBA
Author, "Humanizing Health Care and Choose Your Words"

"Today many psychologists, nurses, social workers, and counselors are struggling with how to help adults and the parents of children who are over-medicated or who wish to reduce or stop taking their psychiatric drugs. Dr. Breggin's book shows non-prescribing professionals, as well as prescribers, how to respond to their patient's needs in an informed, ethical, and empowering fashion." Sarton Weinraub, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Director, New York Person-Centered Resource Center, NYC

This is the first book to establish guidelines and to assist prescribers and therapists in withdrawing their patients from psychiatric drugs, including those patients with long-term exposure to antipsychotic drugs, benzodiazepines, stimulants, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers. It describes a method developed by the author throughout years of clinical experience, consultations with experienced colleagues, and scientific research. Based on a person-centered collaborative approach, with patients as partners, this method builds on a cooperative and empathic team effort involving prescribers, therapists, patients, and their families or support network.

The author, known for such books as "Talking Back to Prozac, Toxic Psychiatry, "and "Medication Madness," is a lifelong reformer and scientist in mental health whose work has brought about significant change in psychiatric practice. This book provides critical information about when to consider psychiatric drug reduction or withdrawal, and how to accomplish it as safely, expeditiously, and comfortably as possible. It offers the theoretical framework underlying this approach along with extensive scientific information, practical advice, and illustrative case studies that will assist practitioners in multiple ways, including in how to:

Recognize common and sometimes overlooked adverse drug effects that may require withdrawal Treat emergencies during dr

An interdisciplinary volume which draws together the concepts of culture and cognition in the wider context of psychopathology. It provides new perspectives on the etiology, treatment, and prevention of psychopathology by challenging current individualistic models and assumptions, while offering new theoretical formulations that take account of the cultural foundation of the cognition process.

This book is divided into three sections. The first offers a history of the existing shortsighted models that see the individual as the source of pathological cognitions. The second section is comprised of nine chapters that examine selected mental disorders. The final section examines the implications of new models that take account of cultural sources of cognition. This book will be of interest to clinical and cross-cultural psychology; anthropology, sociology, and professionals in psychology, social services, and public health.

examines the evolutionary, psychological and social significance of fire drawing on interdisciplinary literature and original research data, it challenges the existing understanding of arson and fire setting introduces a new concept - fire use - and conceptualizes it as sitting on a continuum from non-criminalised to criminalised behavior includes a particular focus on the assessment and treatment of fire setters and a call for a socially informed approach to prevention

examines the evolutionary, psychological and social significance of fire drawing on interdisciplinary literature and original research data, it challenges the existing understanding of arson and fire setting introduces a new concept - fire use - and conceptualizes it as sitting on a continuum from non-criminalised to criminalised behavior includes a particular focus on the assessment and treatment of fire setters and a call for a socially informed approach to prevention

This book explores the underlying biology and neuroscience associated with mental health and wellbeing. This fully revised fourth edition includes new chapters on behavioural science, and brain-gut and brain-gender connections, as well as expanded content on memory and genetics. Integrating up-to-date pharmacological and genetic research with an understanding of environmental factors that impact on human biology, The Biological Basis of Mental Health covers topics including brain development, neural communication, neurotransmitters and receptors, hormones and behaviour, genetic disorders, pharmacology, substance misuse, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, subcortical degenerative diseases of the brain, dementia, developmental disorders and sleep. This unique textbook is an essential read for all healthcare students, practitioners and educators with an interest in mental health and neuroscience.

This book explores the understudied history of the so-called 'incurables' in the Victorian period, the people identified as idiots, imbeciles and the weak-minded, as opposed to those thought to have curable conditions. It focuses on Caterham, England's first state imbecile asylum, and analyses its founding, purpose, character, and most importantly, its residents, innovatively recreating the biographies of these people. Created to relieve pressure on London's overcrowded workhouses, Caterham opened in September 1870. It was originally intended as a long-stay institution for the chronic and incurable insane paupers of the metropolis, more commonly referred to as idiots and imbeciles. This purpose instantly differentiates Caterham from the more familiar, and more researched, lunatic asylums, which were predicated on the notion of cure and restoration of the senses. Indeed Caterham, built following the welfare and sanitary reforms of the late 1860s, was an important feature of the Victorian institutional landscape, and it represented a shift in social, medical and political responsibility towards the care and management of idiot and imbecile paupers.

Provides an up to date overview of social cognition deficits in clinical populations. Describes how social cognition manifests across a range of neurodevelopmental and acquired conditions, across the lifespan Summarizes how social cognition is assessed and measured Reviews the current status of research on intervention to prevent or remediate poor social outcomes

Provides an up to date overview of social cognition deficits in clinical populations. Describes how social cognition manifests across a range of neurodevelopmental and acquired conditions, across the lifespan Summarizes how social cognition is assessed and measured Reviews the current status of research on intervention to prevent or remediate poor social outcomes

How can a therapist create the kind of relationship and conversation with a client that allows both to access their creativity and develop possibilities where none seemed to exist before? To answer this important question, Harlene Anderson invites us on a challenging, inspiring journey with an illuminating blend of postmodern theory and clinical narratives. We first meet a Swedish mother, whose experiences in therapy are wrought with frustration. The rest of the book is an answer to this mother's appeal, showing how therapists and clients can become conversational partners in a powerful process of transformation and change.Drawing on her experiences as a practitioner and teacher and on her clients' experiences of therapy, Harlene Anderson joins social thinkers who challenge the familiar culture of psychotherapy, including the foundations on which its theory, practice, research, and therapist education have been based. Anderson directly challenges the expert-nonexpert dichotomy and hierarchical structures that flow from it. She asserts that conventional premises and practices have lost their relevance in a world of rapid social transformation, and calls instead for a philosophy of therapy and a way of being in client relationships that invite collaboration. Conversation, Language, and Possibilities forges surprising links between postmodern theory and collabourative clinical practice. In this framework, human systems are viewed as systems of language and communication. Clients' voices are privileged. And language is generative in shaping,and reshaping,human life and relationships, creating potentials for positive change as infinite in variety and expression as the individuals who realize them.

Inflammation has invaded the field of psychiatry. The finding that cytokines are elevated in various affective and psychotic disorders brings to the forefront the necessity of identifying the precise research domain criteria (RDoCs) that inflammation is responsible for. This task is certainly the most advanced in major depressive disorders. The reason is that a dearth of clinical and preclinical studies has demonstrated that inflammation can cause symptoms of depression and conversely, cytokine antagonists can attenuate symptoms of depression in medical and psychiatric patients with chronic low grade inflammation. Important knowledge has been gained on the symptom dimensions that inflammation is driving and the mechanisms of action of cytokines in the brain, providing new targets for drug research and development. The aim of the book "Inflammation-Associated Depression" is to present this field of research and its implications in a didactic and comprehensive manner to basic and clinical scientists, psychiatrists, physicians, and students at the graduate level.

This book examines the role of psychopharmacological treatment in a range of disorders that may be encountered during pregnancy, including major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance abuse. The natural history of each condition pre and post-partum is analyzed and the evidence for the efficacy of drug treatments, evaluated. Special attention is paid to the potential dangers of different treatment options for both mother and fetus, covering risks of malformation, pregnancy and obstetric risks, neonatal risks and possible long-term consequences. The risks of not treating a particular condition are also analyzed. On the basis of the available evidence, management guidelines are provided that additionally take into account non-pharmacological options. Closing chapters consider the value of complementary and alternative medicine and ECT and explore future research directions.

Delusional disorder, once termed paranoia, was an important diagnosis in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Only in 1987 was it reintroduced into modern psychiatric diagnosis after being incorporated with schizophrenia. This book provides a comprehensive review of delusional disorder for psychiatrists and other clinicians. Beginning with the emergence of the concept of delusional disorder, the book goes on to detail its manifold presentations, differential diagnosis, and treatment. The author provides many instructive case histories, illustrating manifestations of the various subtypes of delusional disorder, and related conditions in the paranoid spectrum. This is the most wide-ranging and authoritative text on the subject to have appeared for many years, and the first to suggest--based on the author's extensive experience--that the category of delusional disorder should contain not one but several conditions. It also emphasizes that, contrary to traditional belief, delusional disorder is a treatable illness.

This book has been prepared to help psychiatrists expand their knowledge of statistical methods and fills the gaps in their applications as well as introduces data analysis software. The book emphasizes the classification of fundamental statistical methods in psychiatry research that are precise and simple. Professionals in the field of mental health and allied subjects without any mathematical background can easily understand all the relevant statistical methods and carry out the analysis and interpret the results in their respective fields without consulting a statistician. The sequence of the chapters, the sections within the chapters, the subsections within the sections, and the points within the subsections have all been arranged to help professionals in classification refine their knowledge in statistical methods and fill the gaps, if any. Emphasizing simplicity, the fundamental statistical methods are demonstrated by means of arithmetical examples that may be reworked with pencil and paper in a matter of minutes. The results of the rework have to be checked by using SPSS, and in this way professionals are introduced to this psychiatrist-friendly data analysis software. Topics covered include: * An overview of psychiatry research * The organization and collection of data * Descriptive statistics * The basis of statistical inference * Tests of significance * Correlational data analysis * Multivariate data analysis * Meta-analysis * Reporting the results * Statistical software The language of the book is very simple and covers all aspects of statistical methods starting from organization and collection of data to descriptive statistics, statistical inference, multivariate analysis, and meta-analysis. Two chapters on computer applications deal with the most popular data analysis software: SPSS. The book will be very valuable to professionals and post-graduate students in psychiatry and allied fields, such as psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, psychiatric nursing, and mental health education and administration.

This volume, Statistical Methods in Psychiatry Research and SPSS, now going into its second edition, has been helping psychiatrists expand their knowledge of statistical methods and fills the gaps in their applications as well as introduces data analysis software. It addresses the statistical needs of physicians and presents a simplified approach. The book emphasizes the classification of fundamental statistical methods in psychiatry research that are precise and simple. Professionals in the field of mental health and allied subjects without any mathematical background will easily understand all the relevant statistical methods and carry out the analysis and interpret the results in their respective field without consulting any statistician. This new volume has over 100 pages of new material, including several new appendixes. The sequence of the chapters, the sections within the chapters, the subsections within the sections, and the points within the subsections have all been arranged to help professionals in classification refine their knowledge in statistical methods and fills the gaps.

This book introduces the latest meta-analytical methods and discusses their applications in the field of psychiatry. A comprehensive list of methods used in meta-analysis has been described in simple language and demonstrated with real-time examples. This informative volume explains the importance of meta-analysis and describes how it differs from narrative and systematic reviews. It also relates the historical development of meta-analysis and explains methods used for locating and selecting the required studies in a given domain. Suitable software is examined in detail as well.

Growing market that's becoming more demanding and sophisticated New evidence around working with children is creating a greater need for evidence based information Integrates information for forensic and clinical professionals in a new way

Functional somatic syndromes are defined as physical syndromes without an organic disease explanation, demonstrable structural changes, or established biochemical abnormalities. This book reviews the state of scientific and clinical understanding of the nine most common functional somatic syndromes. For each syndrome, expert contributors provide a brief historical perspective, a current definition, a case presentation, confirmatory and contradictory research findings, a discussion of the leading pathogenetic hypotheses, and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Chapters offer advice for the determination of disability of patients with these medically unexplained disorders, while describing both medical and psychiatric interventions. Stressing the importance of a sound therapeutic relationship as a basis for treatment, this is an invaluable resource for professionals in primary care and many other disciplines.

This book is an authoritative and well-structured text which is both topic and curriculum oriented, aimed to appeal to a wider multi-professional audience in line with the current NHS workforce training needs in the UK. It is based on the 'specialist certificate examination' (SCE), awarded for the completion of higher specialist training. Following closely the published blueprint from the Royal College of Physicians, and the curriculum from JRCPTB, it provides an up-to-date bank of revision material. These 300 questions in the 'single best answer' (SBA) format (like the actual assessment), are complete with comprehensive, well-evidenced explanations and explanatory further reading material. Key Features Maps the entire curriculum covered on the geriatric specialization exam Addresses the gap in the market to educate on the core curriculum for the busy professionals and post graduate medical trainees working towards this examination The book is thematically organized to make it an accessible quick reference for also those not planning to take the exam but seeking to broaden and deepen their own knowledge base

Prescribing Mental Health Medication is a comprehensive text for all practitioners who treat mental disorders with medication. This new (third) edition is fully updated and includes a variety of additional chapters. Prescribing Mental Health Medication covers the latest digital methodologies including Internet-based mental health treatment, electronic medical records and prescriber use of social media. Including information on all psychotropic medications in use in the United States and the United Kingdom, the book incorporates clinical tips, sample dialogues for talking about mental health medications to patients, and information specifically relevant in primary care settings. It looks at: * how to determine if medication is needed, proper dosing and how to start, stop and change medication * specific mental health symptoms and appropriate medication * special populations including non-adherent patients, medication abusers, those mixing alcohol and psychotropics, confused patients, children, adolescents, pregnant women and seniors * management of medication side effects and avoidance of medication risk * prescription of generic preparations * organizing a prescriptive office and record keeping. The additional chapters in this new edition of Prescribing Mental Health Medication cover topics such as combining specific medications, combining medications and psychological therapies, use of 'natural' substances in mental health treatment, successfully managing patient relapse, and appropriate prescriptions of potentially controversial medications such as stimulants and benzodiazepines. This practical text explains the entire process of medication assessment, management and follow up for general medical practitioners, mental health practitioners, students, residents, prescribing nurses and others perfecting this skill.

This book offers a step-by-step guide to mental health assessment for bariatric surgery patients. A general introduction explains the concepts of bariatric psychology and psychiatry, their relevance in contemporary bariatric surgery, and reasons to include psychologists and psychiatrists in multidisciplinary teams taking care of bariatric patients. The following four chapters address the aspects of mental health that are investigated by bariatric psychology. The psychological processes analyzed here play a major role in influencing patients' perception of the outcomes of bariatric surgery and in determining their commitment to lifestyle changes and follow-up programs. The second part of the book includes nine chapters addressing the clinical conditions relevant to bariatric psychiatry. For each condition, the major focus is on the impact of psychopathology on bariatric surgery outcomes (weight loss, weight regain, quality of life) and the impact of surgery on its course (remission, worsening, de novo onset). Each chapter in this part includes a discussion of the diagnostic instruments (i.e., structured interviews, clinician-rated tests, and patient-rated tests) that should be used to obtain a valid assessment of the patient's mental status. Separate chapters focus on psychiatric complications (e.g., suicide and addiction transfer) and psychological problems related to quality of life (e.g., body image dissatisfaction) that may emerge postoperatively. Data on these postsurgery conditions has been reported only recently and, therefore, no published book deals with them. The final chapter offers an overview of unsolved issues in bariatric psychology and psychiatry and reviews emerging research findings that are likely to change assessment and care of bariatric patients' mental health in the near future. Given its scope-and its wealth of tables, diagrams, mnemonics, and key fact boxes-the book will be an invaluable reference tool for clinicians.

As editor of the Springer-Verlag Series in Psychopathology, Lauren Alloy knew of my work in cognitive psychophysiology to study processing anomalies in nonpatients at risk for psychopathology and invited me to edit a book for the series. This evolved into an opportunity to address an aspect of the unfortunate nature-nurture battle in the field, which too often emphasizes genes and macrolevel environment. Extreme positions are often taken (sometimes unwittingly), even though a great deal of the actual research is between the extremes, including laboratory psycho logical and psychophysiological studies. There is more to biology than genes and even more to it than things like brain imaging, enlarged ventricles, glucose metabolism rate, and receptor density, which have received a great deal of attention in recent years. of studies at the One goal of this book is to provide demonstrations intersection between psychology and biology via psychophysiology. In parallel, another goal is to showcase solid psychological research that may bear directly on what are often considered biological issues. For example, Chapter 4, by Walker and colleagues, can be considered classically psychological, because the authors focus on overt behavior. Yet some of the importance of their work is its implication of a particular biological process involved in the gross motor behavior anomalies they have identified in the etiology of schizophrenia. Similarly, whereas in Chapter 7, Klein and Anderson articulate the behavioral high-risk paradigm quite well, in Chapter 10, Yee relies on their approach in pursuing psycho physiological research on risk for depression."

Pleasure is fundamental to well-being and the quality of life, but until recently, was barely explored by science. Current research on pleasure has brought about ground-breaking developments on several fronts, and new data on pleasure and the brain have begun to converge from many disparate fields. The time is ripe to present these important findings in a single volume, and so Morten Kringelbach and Kent Berridge have brought together the leading researchers to provides a comprehensive review of our current scientific understanding of pleasure. The authors present their latest neuroscientific research into pleasure, describing studies on the brain's role in pleasure and reward in animals and humans, including brain mechanisms, neuroimaging data, and psychological analyses, as well as how their findings have been applied to clinical problems, such as depression and other disorders of hedonic well-being. To clarify the differences between their views, the researchers also provide short answers to a set of fundamental questions about pleasure and its relation to the brain. This book is intended to serve as both a starting point for readers new to the field, and as a reference for more experienced graduate students and scientists from fields such as neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, neurology, and neurosurgery.

In its brief but vigorous history, gerontology has spawned a broadening range of specializations. One of the newest of such specializations is narrative gerontology, so named for its emphasis on the biographical, or inside, dimensions of the experience of aging.
Telling stories about our world, our relationships, and ourselves is fundamental to how we make meaning. Everything from our history to our religion and our memories to our emotions is linked to the tales we tell ourselves, and others, about where we have come from and where we are going. They are central to who we are.
The biographical side of human life is every bit as critical to fathom as the biological side, if we seek a more balanced, positive, and optimistic perspective on what aging is about; if we would honor the dignity and complexity, the humanity and uniqueness of the lives of older persons, no matter what their health or economic standing. In this respect, a narrative approach is particularly suited to the exploration of such topics as meaning, spirituality, and wisdom, and the connections they share.
This volume reflects a selection of new directions and insights, and constitutes a general broadening and deepening of narrative gerontology, exploring its implications for theory and research in the field of aging, and for the quality of life of older adults themselves. Such deepening indicates a greater refinement of thought, method, and intervention. The evolution of narrative gerontology is also evidenced by a significant increase in the number of faculty and graduate students engaged in research in this area, as well as by increasing collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and administrators in applying narrative insights to contexts such as long term care - indeed, healthcare in general. These initiatives have given rise to the phrase, "narrative care as core care."

Since its first edition, Men's Health has established itself as the essential reference for practitioners across the spectrum of medicine - including those working in urology, andrology, cardiology, endocrinology, family practice and mental health. For this fully updated fourth edition the editors have again assembled an international team of expert authors to write on an encyclopedic range of topics, making this an invaluable resource for any health professional interested in maintaining and improving the health of their male patients. Comprehensive coverage of every aspect of men's health and the gender gap. Includes the latest research on cardiovascular risks. Assesses the specific issues concerning men and cancer. Examines the often overlooked aspects of mental health as it affects men. Incorporates new developments in metabolic medicine and men.

Understanding Young Onset Dementia provides a state-of-the-art overview of approaches to care and evaluation for people with young onset dementia. It reviews the challenges in providing care and services, outlines new innovations in treatment and explores the impact of the condition to offer guidance about best practice in care. Written by world-leading researchers and experts in the field, this book gives key evidence for best practice and focuses on lived experience of those with young onset dementia. It has a broad focus looking at aspects of care beyond diagnosis and gives a comprehensive summary of the current qualitative and quantitative research in the field of young onset dementia. This international collaboration fills a much-needed gap in the academic market and is vital to guide learning and deliver future innovations. This book will be of great interest for academics, scholars and post graduate students in the field of mental health and dementia research. It will also appeal to neurologists, psychiatrist, geriatricians and psychologists looking to update their knowledge or already working in the field.