Book description
The last twenty-five years have witnessed an explosion of knowledge
about the influence of brain biochemistry on mood and behavior and about
pharmacological approaches to treating mental and emotional disorders. A
substantial portion of patients seen in clinical practice are taking
some medication or might usefully be advised to do so. But many clinical
psychologists, social workers, and counselors need additional
information in order to better treat patients already on medication,
know when and to whom to refer new patients for psychiatric
consultation, and work collaboratively with psychiatrists when appropriate.
Michael J. Gitlin's indispensable first edition of The
Psychotherapists Guide to Psychopharmacology has now been
updated and revised -- this new second edition now reflects major
changes that have influenced the clinical arena in the last five years
such as the recent release of DSM-IV and the domination of the
psychopharmacological field by the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac). The Psychotherapists Guide
to Psychopharmacology, Second Edition also now includes coverage
of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and contains updated
sections on the new antipsychotics for schizophrenia and the increased
use of anticonvulsant mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder. The book
also includes other significant changes that have influenced the field
over the last few years, such as brain imaging studies, research in
obsessive compulsive disorder and social phobia, and such prominent
topics in women's health as pregnancy, PMS, postpartum disorders, and
breast feeding.
This revision of an already established guide will again be an
essential reference for all nonmedical professionals involved in
treating mental and emotional disorders.
Robert O. Pasnau, M. D. Professor of Psychiatry,
University of California, Los Angeles Chief of Staff, Neuropsychiatric
Institute Hospital Assistant Dean, School of Medicine It is extremely
useful for those psychiatrists, like me, who as psychotherapists are
becoming increasingly convinced that combined pharmacology and
psychotherapy is the treatment of choice of the majority of our
patients. Most of my patients want to know why and how medications
work, and they are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about side
effects and dependency.
Michael J. Gitlin, M. D. is an authority on
psychopharmacology who has published numerous articles. He is Clinical
Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Affective Disorders
Program and of the General Outpatient Clinic at the UCLA
Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
