The practice of psychiatry has undergone great changes in recent years. In this book, Joel Paris, MD, a veteran psychiatrist, provides a fluently written and accessible "state-of-the-field" assessment. Himself a clinician, researcher, and teacher, Paris focuses on the most striking change within the field - the diverging roles of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in contemporary practice. Where once psychiatrists were trained in Freudian psychoanalysis - which involved, more than anything else, talking - current pressures in mental health practice, including those imposed by managed care, are leading psychiatrists to treat more and more of their patients exclusively with medication, which is cheaper and faster. At the same time, psychotherapy is increasingly not being taught to new psychiatrists-in-training, even though, as Paris reveals, there is scientific evidence that both talk therapies and medication can play an important role in the treatment of mental illness. These developments are occuring against a backdrop of exploding research in the genetics and neurobiology of mental illness that will continue to drive the field. Paris ends by contemplating how going forward psychiatry can best respond to all these forces and proposes a team-based approach to mental health care. The book will appeal both to specialists and nonspecialists, particularly psychiatric residents and fellows, medical students considering specialization in psychiatry, clinical psychologists, social workers, and general readers, especially consumers of mental health services.

"Prescriptions" is a self-help book which combines poems to help heal depression with a discussion of the causes of depression and how to overcome it. It can be read straight through to gain a broad-based understanding of treating depression or readers can select poems with specific therapeutic qualities. It is written for those who are or have been depressed in reaction to repeated disappointments, relationship demise, family discord, loss, spiritual warfare, aloneness, and overwhelming stress. The prescriptions may be used to help others or to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of depression. Each poem relates to a common experience of depression and suggests strategies and behaviors to quarantine and reverse various types of depression. Readers can do this by identifying with the subject of the poem or gaining inspiration by following the positive suggestions and internalizing the messages of hope nestled within each poem. Many are excellent daily affirmations. Perri Johnson, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, maintains a private practice in Hollywood Hills, CA. He renders psychological services to many in the film and entertainment industry, as well as, greater Los Angeles. He serves a primarily adult population, however, provides specialized services for children using highly developed technology. The positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapeutic interventions articulated in this work are the results of his work in the area of treating depression for the past 15 years. Dr. Perri Johnson was a popular radio personality for many years in Philadelphia during the 70's and early 80's. He worked in radio in the Newark-New York and Los Angeles areas through the mid 80's. He celebrated a number one record on the dance charts with Hamilton Bohannon in 1981. After enjoying success in the entertainment industry, he returned to academia to earn advanced degrees. Dr. Johnson holds two Masters Degrees in psychology and Doctorate in clinical psychology.

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“This Is Your Brain on Joy is a thoughtful, practical, life-changing book that will help you take advantage of the latest neuroscience research—combined with biblical insights—to bring more joy and love into your life.” —from the Foreword by Daniel G. Amen, MD Author and speaker for the PBS special Change Your Brain, Change Your Life What does your brain have to do with experiencing joy? A lot more than most of us realize. In this breakthrough book, Dr. Earl Henslin reveals how the study of brain imaging turned his practice of psychotherapy upside down—with remarkably positive results. He shares answers to puzzling questions, such as Why isn’t my faith in God enough to erase my blue moods? Why haven’t I been able to conquer my anger? Pray away my fear and worry? Why can’t I find freedom from secret obsessions and addictions? Using the Brain System Checklist, Dr. Henslin explains what happens to the 5 Mood Centers in the brain when any of those areas are out of balance. This is great news, especially for those tortured by the fear that something is fundamentally wrong with them when the problem actually lies between their ears. Read this practical, easy-to-understand, and often entertaining book, and you’ll know exactly how to nourish your mind, balance your brain, and help others do the same. After all, the capacity for joy is a terrible thing to waste.

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.

Offers sixty suggestions for bringing back small, everyday pleasures intone's life to restore it's balance, and describes the five Polynesian keys to happy life.

Prescription drugs can rob you of the very vitamins and minerals your body needs to overcome your current health condition. Whether you suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic heartburn (GERD), arthritis, diabetes, or depression, the prescription drugs you are taking can actually make your condition worse! Why didn't your doctor warn you about this possible side effect? Most office visits are short, and time is limited. And the truth is, many doctors have very little knowledge about nutrition and how it affects your overall health and well-being. As a result, your doctor is unlikely to tell you how to supplement your prescription. Dr. Cass offers essential information to complement your doctor's advice. This straightforward, easy-to-use guide explains: How drugs interfere with your body's ability to absorb and use vital nutrients. What nutrient depletions and side effects you can expect with the most frequently prescribed drugs. Which nutritional supplements and foods can safeguard against nutrient depletion and its health consequences. How specific diet changes and nutritional supplements can help you take control of your condition. Why it's important to support your plan with a balanced diet, exercise, and other self-care basics. Where to go to find more information to become your own health advocate. Your medications should help, not hurt. With Supplement Your Prescription, Dr. Cass shows you the way to optimal health. Book jacket.

For over two thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has made many significant contributions to China's growth and prosperity. This textbook, based on the unique characteristics of TCM, discusses its principle theories and presents a comprehensive daily practice guide for health maintenance and disease treatment. The book provides clinical practitioners with a fundamental understanding of the essence of TCM.We highly recommend this book for students interested in TCM, Chinese medicine doctors and other healthcare professionals, biomedical researchers, and interested individuals. Readers will benefit from the inspirational viewpoints discussed in the book.

Understanding the human brain is essential to become a well-informed, modern citizen. As always, nonsense proliferates around popular topics. The author of the human Brain is a physician-writer, an expert navigator who can steer you away from nonsense, and help you understand practical details about brain function and disease. This is a big book with big ideas, so be prepared to read, re-read and then keep the book as reference. Read topics from the book by clicking links to the left. Dr. Gislason's Preface "My goal in writing this book is to provide a guide to intervention in disorders of brain function. The brain is the organ of the mind. Therefore, molecular influences that alter the function of brain are manifest as mental influences. Brains are delicate devices that need special care to work well. When brains do not function well, disorders of sensing, deciding, acting and remembering occur. Food is the major source of molecular influences on the brain and, therefore, on mind states. Finding and consuming food is the main business of all animal brains and remains the priority in the organization of human behavior. An integrated view of body/mind does not draw artificial boundaries among different events. Psyche does not affect Soma or vice versa. Psyche and Soma are one interacting whole system. Behavioral adaptation to environment is intermeshed with molecular adaptation. This means that mind and body interact with environment as a single integrated unit. Molecular events determine mind/body events just as mental or behavioral events determine molecular events. There is little argument that diseased arteries that carry blood to the brain lead toward the most prevalent and often the most devastating loss of brain function. High blood pressure and plugged arteries work together to produce strokes. Other brain diseases are not so obvious. The role of the environment and dietary problems in creating emotionally and mentally disturbed people has been underestimated or ignored. Bad environments and problems in the food supply can disturb brain function in entire populations. Bad chemicals are more powerful than good intentions and good ideas unless the good idea is to remove the bad chemicals from the environment. When a fish in an aquarium displays psychotic behavior, you do not call a fish psychiatrist; you check the oxygen concentration, temperature, and pH of the water. You have to clean the tank and change the fish diet. I regret the increasing use of psychotropic drugs. The aggressive marketing of drugs that affect the brain has become a major determinant of what people believe and how people behave. I was once an advocate of drug therapy, but now I believe that we are on the wrong track and advise against taking drugs that affect the mind. My work in philosophy takes the broadest view of the human experience and also focuses on the details of how our mind works. As a physician, I advocate practical solutions to brain dysfunction that are often ignored in medical practice. These are solutions that emphasize removing the causes of disease by improving the environment and the food supply. Download eBook in PDF format

Dr. Bernie Siegel writes with humorous, down-to-earth wisdom that has improved the lives of countless readers. In 365 Prescriptions for the Soul, he treats us to his most user-friendly work of all: daily doses of inspiration and humor that gently and joyfully help us live more peaceful, loving, and fulfilling lives.