The essential guide to psychiatric drugs

Psychopharmacology has changed so radically in the last few years that Gorman (psychiatry, Mount Sinai Sch. of Medicine, New York) has updated this clear, balanced, and authoritative guide three times since the first edition appeared in 1997. Gorman stresses the field's human aspect: he promotes good history taking (at least an hour's worth) by the treating psychiatrist, encourages patients and family members to ask questions, and emphasizes the value of feeling better over other considerations, including insight. He sees the worth of psychotherapy, giving examples where medication is not appropriate, and addresses well the subject of electroconvulsive therapy (i.e., shock therapy) in a positive light. Gorman no longer takes fees from drug companies, is somewhat critical of their promotional ties to physicians, and strongly supports the use of cheaper generic medication when available. The chapters review all the usual syndromes, so the book is a general guide to symptoms and diagnoses as well as to drug treatment. Since most psychiatric drugs are prescribed by nonpsychiatric physicians, this work will be useful for them and for nurse practitioners as well as for patients and families. Essential for all general libraries.-E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, DC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.