Overview
The Essentials of Geriatric Psychiatry presents the essence of The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, Third Edition, covering not only a wide range of mental diseases of the elderly but also the so-called normal age changes that result in biological, social, and behavioral changes in older adults.
The book's coverage begins with demography and epidemiology of late-life disorders and physiological considerations of patient care, then continues with all of the parent text's chapters on diagnostic interviews. Subsequent chapters address ten of the most prominent psychiatric disorders of the elderly and include recent insights into, for example, such matters as differential diagnostic problems in distinguishing dementia from delirium or depression, an in-depth review of late-life bereavement, and nonpharmacological approaches to helping families deal with agitation in older relatives. Each chapter ends with multiple-choice questions for self-assessment. Concluding with four chapters devoted to treatment—including psychopharmacology and psychotherapy— Essentials of Geriatric Psychiatry is an important source of information for psychiatrists and other health professionals committed to the care of older adults.
Synopsis
The Essentials of Geriatric Psychiatry presents the essence of The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, Third Edition, covering not only a wide range of important mental diseases of the elderly but also the so-called normal age changes that result in biological, social, and behavioral changes in older adults.
Essentials of Geriatric Psychiatry reviews the knowledge that has transformed the practice of geriatric psychiatry. It is authored by both basic and clinical scholars—not only psychiatrists, but also contributors from relevant biomedical and behavioral disciplines—who make the sometimes complex material understandable. Its coverage maintains an eclectic orientation regarding theory and practice, beginning with demography and epidemiology of late-life disorders and physiological considerations of patient care, then continuing with all of the parent text's chapters on diagnostic interviews—including chapters on laboratory tests and the neuropsychological assessment of dementia. Subsequent chapters address ten of the most prominent psychiatric disorders of the elderly and include recent insights into such matters as understanding the parameters of late-life depression and treating the seven recognized somatoform disorders. Each chapter ends with multiple-choice questions for self-assessment. Among the other topics considered are:
• Differential diagnostic problems in distinguishing dementia from delirium or depression and in identifying specific dementia disorders
• Insights on treating late-onset schizophrenia and identifying psychotic symptoms arising secondary to the dementia of Alzheimer's disease
• In-depth review of late-life bereavement, reflecting a wealth of recent research regarding intense and/or “complicated” grief
• Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances—including sleep apnea—and treatment of insomnia
• Physical consequences of alcoholism in later life, with consideration of interactions between alcohol use and chronic or periodic illness in elderly patients
• Approaches to agitation and suspiciousness, with the presentation of nonpharmacological guidelines to helping families deal with these problems in older relatives
The final four chapters are devoted to treatment and summarize current psychopharmacology, advances in psychotherapy, working with families, and providing care in the nursing home. Together, these contributions constitute an essential source for psychiatrists and other health professionals committed to the care of older adults and for those seeking board certification in geriatrics.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description:This new book is a boiled down version of The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, 3rd edition, which was published in 2004. Written and edited by nationally recognized experts in geriatric psychiatry, this book serves the purpose of being an excellent review for psychiatrists studying for board certification in geriatric psychiatry.
Purpose:The intended purpose is "to provide the clinician with the current state of scientific understanding as well as practical skills and knowledge base required for dealing with mental disorders in late life." While this is useful for refreshing one's information base in the effort to pass the geriatric psychiatry boards, the practical skills needed for treating older patients is not going to be obtained from this book.
Audience:The intended audience includes psychiatrists preparing for taking the geriatric psychiatry board certification examination. The book would also be useful for fellows in geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology, and geriatric neurology. Psychiatry residents who are rotating in geriatric psychiatry would also find it useful.
Features:Part 1 of the book's four parts covers demographic and epidemiologic aspects of geriatric psychiatric disorders as well as the physiology of aging. Part 2 reviews diagnostic issues and summarizes pertinent aspects of the interview, laboratory evaluation, and neuropsychological testing. Specific psychiatric disorders are covered in part 3 which includes chapters on cognitive disorders, movement disorders, psychoses, anxiety, somatoform disorders, adjustment disorders and bereavement, sleep disorders, substance related disorders, and agitation. Part 4 concludes with reviews of various treatment modalities with chapters on psychopharmacology, individual and group therapy, family therapy, and nursing home practice. The best part of the book is the section of study questions at the end of each chapter and the study guide at the end of the book. The study guide explains the answer to each question with references to the relevant literature. Each chapter is well referenced as well. Unfortunately, some important topics seem to be left out, including the validity issues of the DSM pertaining to geriatric psychiatry; a discussion of melancholia as a distinguishable mood disorder with specific treatment responsiveness; and REM behavior, a frequent accompaniment and management problem of the alpha synucleinopathies.
Assessment:This review book is excellent for the purpose of preparing for the geriatric psychiatry boards. For a full understanding of geriatric psychiatry and the care needed for elderly patients with mental disorders, training and education beyond the reading this book is required.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)Description: This new book is a boiled down version of The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry, 3rd edition, which was published in 2004. Written and edited by nationally recognized experts in geriatric psychiatry, this book serves the purpose of being an excellent review for psychiatrists studying for board certification in geriatric psychiatry.
Purpose: The intended purpose is "to provide the clinician with the current state of scientific understanding as well as practical skills and knowledge base required for dealing with mental disorders in late life." While this is useful for refreshing one's information base in the effort to pass the geriatric psychiatry boards, the practical skills needed for treating older patients is not going to be obtained from this book.
Audience: The intended audience includes psychiatrists preparing for taking the geriatric psychiatry board certification examination. The book would also be useful for fellows in geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology, and geriatric neurology. Psychiatry residents who are rotating in geriatric psychiatry would also find it useful.
Features: Part 1 of the book's four parts covers demographic and epidemiologic aspects of geriatric psychiatric disorders as well as the physiology of aging. Part 2 reviews diagnostic issues and summarizes pertinent aspects of the interview, laboratory evaluation, and neuropsychological testing. Specific psychiatric disorders are covered in part 3 which includes chapters on cognitive disorders, movement disorders, psychoses, anxiety, somatoform disorders, adjustment disorders and bereavement, sleep disorders, substance related disorders, and agitation. Part 4 concludes with reviews of various treatment modalities with chapters on psychopharmacology, individual and group therapy, family therapy, and nursing home practice. The best part of the book is the section of study questions at the end of each chapter and the study guide at the end of the book. The study guide explains the answer to each question with references to the relevant literature. Each chapter is well referenced as well. Unfortunately, some important topics seem to be left out, including the validity issues of the DSM pertaining to geriatric psychiatry; a discussion of melancholia as a distinguishable mood disorder with specific treatment responsiveness; and REM behavior, a frequent accompaniment and management problem of the alpha synucleinopathies.
Assessment: This review book is excellent for the purpose of preparing for the geriatric psychiatry boards. For a full understanding of geriatric psychiatry and the care needed for elderly patients with mental disorders, training and education beyond the reading this book is required.