Browse

Anxiety affects millions, manifesting as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder. Not only are anxiety disorders common, but they are also crippling, frequently co-occurring and predict high risk for depressive disorders. Shared mechanisms may explain the overlapping features of many anxiety disorders and account for associations with other highly-impairing conditions, such as major depression and substance use. Beyond risk for specific disorders, anxiety also predicts a number of other adverse outcomes, including suicidal behavior, medical problems, social, and economic difficulties. Conversely, disorder-specific mechanisms may also exist and explain the unique features of each syndrome. Thus, it is important to understand both shared and specific aspects of anxiety. The Primer on Anxiety Disorders provides information on diagnosis and treatment, and clinical cases are used throughout to enhance understanding of and illustrate specific disorders, comorbid conditions and clinical issues. To facilitate an integrative approach, content allows clinicians to understand patient characteristics and tailor interventions. The integrated approach of each chapter includes recent research on genetics and neuroscience to understand the mechanisms of anxiety disorders, focusing on the forthcoming new nosology in DSM-5. Chapters further integrate innovative advances in clinical research providing research on a range of discoveries regarding biomarkers of illness, biological predictors of treatments and the effect of treatment on neurocircuitry.Less

Until recently, borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been the stepchild of psychiatric disorders. Many researchers even questioned its existence. Clinicians have been reluctant to reveal the diagnosis to patients because of the stigma attached to it. But individuals with BPD suffer terribly and a significant proportion die by suicide and engage in nonsuicidal self-injury. The aim of this primer on BPD is to fill this void and provide clinicians with an accessible, easy-to-use, clinically oriented, evidenced-based guide for early-stage BPD. We present the most up to date data about BPD by leading experts in the field in a format accessible to trainees and professionals working with individuals with BPD and their family members. The volume is comprehensive and covers the etiology of BPD, its clinical presentation and comorbid disorders, genetics and neurobiology of BPD, effective treatment approaches to BPD, the role of advocacy, and the treatment of special subpopulations (e.g., forensic) in the clinical management of BPD.Less

Mental health professionals, more than any other clinicians, encounter legal issues on a regular basis. Mental Health Practice and the Law is written for anyone in the field, at any stage in their training or practice, who has ever found themselves scratching their head in confusion or dreading that they will expose themselves to liability as they navigate the complexities at the interface of law and mental health. Written by established experts and the rising stars of the next generation, the sixteen chapters in this book offer readers a basic understanding of legal principles encountered in clinical practice, as well as practical advice on how to manage situations at the interface of law and clinical practice. Using case examples and clear language, this book will help clinicians understand the underlying principles behind the legal requirements of clinical care. It aims to enhance the reader’s knowledge of legal issues and ability to deliver good clinical care when those issues are encountered.Less