Mind, Body, and Medicine An Integrative Text

From The Critics

Reviewer: Patricia E. Murphy, PhD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description: Written by a physician in internal medicine, this book provides a comprehensive discussion of health problems thought to be primarily emotional in origin, integrating psychological and physiological factors.
Purpose: Although psychiatrists, psychologists, and sociologists have addressed the topic of psychosomatic medicine, there is not much written by a practicing physician to help other physicians provide a better quality of care for patients whose symptoms are primarily psychological in origin. The author brings his experience and expertise to fill this gap.
Audience: The book is addressed to the practicing physician whether in a specialty or in primary care. The material would also be understandable to others interested in medicine who have a basic knowledge of physiology.
Features: The author provides a comprehensive discussion of health problems by topics. The treatment of each topic includes related psychiatric diagnostic criteria for conditions, neurological processes, an explanation of the role of the immune system, and specific pathological physiological responses. Hopefully this holistic approach will allow physicians to better engage patients to work with them for symptom relief.
Assessment: The book is informative while not being overly technical and includes an abundance of examples from research. Unfortunately, the author uses some studies that go back as far as 50 years, some of which don't reflect current trends and knowledge. The specific intent of the author is to deal with symptoms due to a mental imbalance. Those interested in a more complex understanding of all illnesses as including mental and physical components still will find useful information.

3 Stars from Doody