Book Description
The third edition of this bestselling, lively text depicts psychiatry as a field virtually exploding with new knowledge. Its two distinguished authors, whose work as scholars, teachers, and research scientists enhances this volume’s appeal, present the fundamentals for practicing psychiatry. This dynamic field is summarized in four sections: background (e.g., history, diagnosis, neurobiology), psychiatric disorders (e.g., cognitive, mood, anxiety, dissociative, and personality disorders), special topics (e.g., violent behavior, legal issues), and psychosocial and somatic treatments. In addition to exciting new findings about specific psychiatric disorders and new case vignettes, illustrations, and tables, the authors include expanded chapters on the psychiatric aspects of AIDS, reflecting the exponential increase in knowledge about this still-unchecked worldwide epidemic, and on somatic treatments, reflecting the burgeoning knowledge about new drug treatments, particularly antidepressants. The authors have also added the Beck Depression Inventory—a self-report patient questionnaire to help the clinician obtain an objective measure of the patient’s condition—to their helpful appendix of commonly used diagnostic scales and measurements. The authors also include model curriculum recommendations for students and psychiatry clerkship directors. Popular among an increasing number of professors, this highly readable, comprehensive textbook is targeted specifically for third- and fourth-year medical students rotating through psychiatry and first- and second-year residents, and generally for clinicians in private practice, social workers, nursing students, physician’s assistants, and laypersons interested in learning more about psychiatric illnesses.

Book Info
Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City. Introductory textbook, for psychiatry students, covers background information, psychiatric disorders, and special topics such as, suicide and violent behavior, psychiatric aspects of HIV infection, disorders of childhood and adolescence, sleep disorders, legal issues, and treatments. Softcover, hardcover also available. DNLM: Mental Disorders.

About the Author
Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D., is the Andrews H. Woods Professor of Psychiatry, Director of the Mental Health Clinical Research Center at the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa. Donald W. Black, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa.

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The third edition of this broad, lively text depicts psychiatry as a field virtually exploding with new knowledge rather than -- as is too often the case -- as a field mired in the past. Its two distinguished authors, whose work as scholars, teachers, and research scientists serves to further enhance this volume's wide appeal, present the fundamentals for practicing psychiatry in four sections: Background: History, diagnosis, assessments, laboratory tests, neurobiology Psychiatric disorders: Cognitive disorders, schizophrenia, delusional and other psychotic disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform and related disorders, dissociative disorders, alcohol-related and other substance-related disorders, personality disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, eating disorders, adjustment disorders, and impulse control disorders Special topics: Suicide and violent behavior, psychiatric aspects of HIV infection, disorders of childhood and adolescence, sleep disorders, and legal issues Treatments: Psychosocial and somatic

In addition to exciting new findings about specific psychiatric disorders and new case vignettes, illustrations, and tables, the authors include expanded chapters on the psychiatric aspects of AIDS, reflecting the exponential increase in knowledge about this still-unchecked worldwide epidemic, and on somatic treatments, reflecting the burgeoning knowledge about new drug treatments, particularly antidepressants.

The authors have also added the Beck Depression Inventory -- a self-report patient questionnaire to help the clinician obtain an objective measure of the patient's condition -- to their helpful appendix of diagnostic scales and measurements now being integrated into routine clinical care. For example, the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination, which assesses cognitive functioning) has become such an important assessment tool that students learning about cognitive disorders need to be familiar with it.

An added bonus to this third edition is the authors' thoughtful inclusion of model curriculum recommendations for students and psychiatry clerkship directors.

Popular among an increasing number of professors, the scope of this user-friendly textbook is sufficiently broad to satisfy students (specifically, third- and fourth-year medical students rotating through psychiatry and first- and second-year residents) who wish to gain a wide exposure to psychiatry. This highly readable, comprehensive reference will also find a wide audience among clinicians in private practice, social workers, nursing students, physician's assistants, and laypersons interested in learning more about psychiatric illnesses.

FROM THE CRITICS

Sahana Misra

This second edition provides an up-to-date introduction to the field of psychiatry. This edition improves on the original, which was published in 1991, by including DSM-IV criteria and new topics that are relevant to the changing field of medicine, such as legal issues in psychiatry. The purpose is to provide an introduction to this broad field in a clear, concise, and current manner. The author's skill as a writer is evident, enabling this book to meet its objective. This book is primarily targeted toward medical students, especially during their psychiatry clerkship. The credibility of the author in this subject matter is not to be disputed. This book is filled with several figures and tables that aid to provide a clear presentation of the subject matter. Current references and self-assessment questions are provided at the end of each chapter. The appendixes contain the Mini-Mental State Exam and several rating scales. This new edition is an improvement to an already worthy book because it includes current DSM-IV criteria and new material that deals with healthcare reform issues, new treatment options, and research. It is well written and enjoyable to read. This book is a definite must for every medical student and is a useful reference for interns and students studying in other psychiatric specialties. This book makes an excellent addition to any health sciences library or bookstore.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Sahana Misra, MD (Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center)Description: This second edition provides an up-to-date introduction to the field of psychiatry. This edition improves on the original, which was published in 1991, by including DSM-IV criteria and new topics that are relevant to the changing field of medicine, such as legal issues in psychiatry. Purpose: The purpose is to provide an introduction to this broad field in a clear, concise, and current manner. The author's skill as a writer is evident, enabling this book to meet its objective. Audience: This book is primarily targeted toward medical students, especially during their psychiatry clerkship. The credibility of the author in this subject matter is not to be disputed. Features: This book is filled with several figures and tables that aid to provide a clear presentation of the subject matter. Current references and self-assessment questions are provided at the end of each chapter. The appendixes contain the Mini-Mental State Exam and several rating scales. Assessment: This new edition is an improvement to an already worthy book because it includes current DSM-IV criteria and new material that deals with healthcare reform issues, new treatment options, and research. It is well written and enjoyable to read. This book is a definite must for every medical student and is a useful reference for interns and students studying in other psychiatric specialties. This book makes an excellent addition to any health sciences library or bookstore.

Booknews

Text primarily intended for medical students and residents during the first several years of their training. Chapter references provide for more in-depth exploration of topics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RATING

4 Stars! from Doody

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Andreasen and Black's third edition of the Introductory Textbook of Psychiatry represents a remarkable update of a classic textbook. Despite extensive revisions and additions, this volume continues to focus on the core knowledge relevant to psychiatry. It's the premier textbook for medical students and primary care physicians. (William R. Yates, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma)  — William R. Yates

"This is a textbook for Medical Students, Residents of all specialties, and for the practicing Psychiatrist in need of a concise and authoritative reference for scientific 21st century Psychiatry. Andreasen and Black have succeeded in combining an historical approach to this complex field with the latest advances in Neuropsychiatric evaluation and treatment." "Tables, updated references, and self assessment questions make this text ideal for both handy reference or examination review." -James R. Merikangas, M.D., FACP, FAPA, FANPA, Yale University School of Medicine, Woodbridge, Connecticut  — James R. Merikangas

"A good primer for those beginning to learn psychiatry. The authors bring their substantial clinical and research expertise to the book and manage to impart their extensive knowledge in a clear and concise way that is both is on one hand practical but on the other hand shows a depth and appreciation for the complexity and challenges of the discipline of psychiatry. The management recommendations for each disorder blends the pharmacologic with the psychodynamic dimension which are both important in providing effective treatment. The chapters from the first and throughout the discussion of each disorder give the reader an excellent appreciation of the historical context in which knowledge of each disorder has grown. The final two chapters of the book provide a comprehensive yet succinct overview of treatments both both psychosocial and somatic and are an excellent framework, on which to build knowledge, for those beginning to treat patients with psychiatric disorders." ----Michele T. Pato, M.D., Associate Professor Clinical Director -Laboratory of Psychiatric and Molecular Genetics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York  — Michele T. Pato

ACCREDITATION

Andreasen, Nancy C., MD, PhD (Univ of Iowa); Black, Donald W., MD (Univ of Iowa)

Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D, Ph.D., is an Andrews H. Woods Professor of Psychiatry, Director of the Mental Health Clinical Research Center at the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa.