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Overview
Delusional disorder, once termed paranoia, was an important diagnosis in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Subsequently it was subsumed with schizophrenia, and only in 1987 was it reintroduced into modern psychiatric diagnosis. This book aims to reconcile recent knowledge with older ideas about the condition, and thereby to provide a contemporary perspective to the concept of delusional disorder and to integrate the scattered literature on the topic. This is the most wide ranging and authoritative text on the subject to have appeared for many years, and the first to suggest, based on the author's extensive experience, that the category of delusional disorder should contain not one but several conditions. It also emphasises that, contrary to traditional belief, delusional disorder is a treatable illness.The book contains no figures.
Synopsis
Comprehensive clinically oriented review of delusional disorder, including case histories and treatment guidelines.
Royce Lee
This book is focused on the fascinating but often forgotten illness, delusional disorder. The author discusses the paraphrenias, cycloid psychoses, paranoid schizophrenia, and schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders. Special attention is given to the tentative conclusion that Pimozide is the most effective agent for treatment. The purpose is to present history, modern views, and recent research of delusional disorder, along with a summary of treatment recommendations. While this book is clearly intended for psychiatrists, the elegant yet lucid prose and handsome binding come somewhat as a surprise. The author's easy presentation can be deceptive. While there are no charts, graphs, or diagrams, and there is a definite de-emphasis on epidemiological data, quite a bit of clinical information is given in the way of anecdotes, case presentations, and reviews of the literature on relevant topics. These are well annotated; the reference lists themselves are invaluable for those interested in doing more in depth reading. Munro's method would best be compared to Kraeplin. He is most concerned with phenomenology, history, and outcome. There is very little speculation about causation, either psychological or biological. Those readers intent on finding a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic will be disappointed. However, those willing to put trust in the author's extensive clinical experience with this disorder, as well his logical, concise summaries of the limited but interesting research, will find this an interesting book on an elusive disorder.
Editorials
Royce Lee
This book is focused on the fascinating but often forgotten illness, delusional disorder. The author discusses the paraphrenias, cycloid psychoses, paranoid schizophrenia, and schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders. Special attention is given to the tentative conclusion that Pimozide is the most effective agent for treatment. The purpose is to present history, modern views, and recent research of delusional disorder, along with a summary of treatment recommendations. While this book is clearly intended for psychiatrists, the elegant yet lucid prose and handsome binding come somewhat as a surprise. The author's easy presentation can be deceptive. While there are no charts, graphs, or diagrams, and there is a definite de-emphasis on epidemiological data, quite a bit of clinical information is given in the way of anecdotes, case presentations, and reviews of the literature on relevant topics. These are well annotated; the reference lists themselves are invaluable for those interested in doing more in depth reading. Munro's method would best be compared to Kraeplin. He is most concerned with phenomenology, history, and outcome. There is very little speculation about causation, either psychological or biological. Those readers intent on finding a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic will be disappointed. However, those willing to put trust in the author's extensive clinical experience with this disorder, as well his logical, concise summaries of the limited but interesting research, will find this an interesting book on an elusive disorder.New England Journal of Medicine
Munro has done members of the medical and legal professions a service by providing a cogent synthesis of difficult material. His book will be of great interest not only to those in the mental health field but also to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and lawyers, who often unwittingly must deal with delusional persons.From The Critics
Reviewer: Royce Lee, MD(Rush University Medical Center)Description: This book is focused on the fascinating but often forgotten illness, delusional disorder. The author discusses the paraphrenias, cycloid psychoses, paranoid schizophrenia, and schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders. Special attention is given to the tentative conclusion that Pimozide is the most effective agent for treatment.
Purpose: The purpose is to present history, modern views, and recent research of delusional disorder, along with a summary of treatment recommendations.
Audience: While this book is clearly intended for psychiatrists, the elegant yet lucid prose and handsome binding come somewhat as a surprise.
Features: The author's easy presentation can be deceptive. While there are no charts, graphs, or diagrams, and there is a definite de-emphasis on epidemiological data, quite a bit of clinical information is given in the way of anecdotes, case presentations, and reviews of the literature on relevant topics. These are well annotated; the reference lists themselves are invaluable for those interested in doing more in depth reading.
Assessment: Munro's method would best be compared to Kraeplin. He is most concerned with phenomenology, history, and outcome. There is very little speculation about causation, either psychological or biological. Those readers intent on finding a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic will be disappointed. However, those willing to put trust in the author's extensive clinical experience with this disorder, as well his logical, concise summaries of the limited but interesting research, will find this an interesting book on an elusive disorder.
From the Publisher
"Munro has done members of the medical and legal professions a service by providing cogent synthesis of difficult material. His book will be of great interest not only to those in the mental health field but also to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and lawyers, who often unwittingly must deal with delusional persons." New England Journal of Medicine"The book is clear, well written and well illustrated with clinical case vignettes. It is well produced. Recommended for institutional as well as personal libraries." Behaviour Research and Therapy
3 Stars from Doody