Overview
Too often, mental health care is postponed due to fears about what treatment might entail. Now Dr. James Morrison, a highly experienced practitioner with a no-nonsense approach, provides up-to-date facts and reliable advice about what might be wrong and what you can do about it. Explaining what really works for a wide range of psychological difficulties, Dr. Morrison gives frank and empathetic answers to all the common questions, plus many you may not even think of asking:*Why do I have these symptoms and when will they get better?
*How safe _are_ drugs like Prozac--and what about herbal remedies?
*What will I have to go through to find out what's wrong?
*How will I know if I've found a good therapist?
* How can I get the best care when my insurance and finances are limited?
*What can I expect in the months and years ahead?
Whether you feel trapped by depression or driven by anxiety, whether you're worried about an aging parent's memory loss or a spouse's mood swings, Straight Talk gives you the knowledge you need now and anticipates what you'll need in the future. It helps you make well-informed choices about this critical aspect of health and well-being--for yourself and those you love.
Synopsis
Too often, mental health care is postponed due to fears about what treatment might entail. Now Dr. James Morrison, a highly experienced practitioner with a no-nonsense approach, provides up-to-date facts and reliable advice about what might be wrong and what you can do about it. Explaining what really works for a wide range of psychological difficulties, Dr. Morrison gives frank and empathetic answers to all the common questions, plus many you may not even think of asking:
*Why do I have these symptoms and when will they get better?
*How safe _are_ drugs like Prozac--and what about herbal remedies?
*What will I have to go through to find out what's wrong?
*How will I know if I've found a good therapist?
* How can I get the best care when my insurance and finances are limited?
*What can I expect in the months and years ahead?
Whether you feel trapped by depression or driven by anxiety, whether you're worried about an aging parent's memory loss or a spouse's mood swings, Straight Talk gives you the knowledge you need now and anticipates what you'll need in the future. It helps you make well-informed choices about this critical aspect of health and well-being--for yourself and those you love.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Diana Marta, BSN, RN(Rush University Medical Center)
Description:This is an excellent guide to psychiatric disorders designed to assist the patient, family, and support people in making good decisions about treatment.
Purpose:The objective is to inform people about mental illness and encourage them to get the help they need and to make educated decisions. Attempting to advocate for the patient by helping him make good treatment decisions is definitely a worthwhile goal and the author has accomplished this successfully.
Audience:This reference is aimed at the lay person or for a professional to recommend to a patient, which would be appropriate for almost any mental illness. It gives basic information in a thoroughly readable, not academic, style. The author has treated over 15,000 patients, teaches at the university level, and has authored several books for professionals. It is clear that he hasn't lost touch with the needs of his patients.
Features:The book describes disorders, medications, and therapies, as well as anticipating and addressing the many questions and fears that patients often have in the course of treatment. The vignettes are short and effective. The author answers the questions many people are afraid to ask, and explains things clearly without being patronizing. This book was written to empower the patient and family in getting the best mental healthcare. My only regret that it won't be read by all patients.
Assessment:This is an easy-to-read and very thorough reference for virtually any question a person might have about mental illness and its treatment. It answers many questions that patients often have before they seek treatment and, in many cases, may mean the difference between a person getting the help they need or not. Its tone isn't "ivory tower" but rather the sort of advice you'd hope to get from a caring friend. The author is clearly a patient advocate in the best sense of the word.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Diana Marta, BSN, RN(Rush University Medical Center)Description: This is an excellent guide to psychiatric disorders designed to assist the patient, family, and support people in making good decisions about treatment.
Purpose: The objective is to inform people about mental illness and encourage them to get the help they need and to make educated decisions. Attempting to advocate for the patient by helping him make good treatment decisions is definitely a worthwhile goal and the author has accomplished this successfully.
Audience: "This reference is aimed at the lay person or for a professional to recommend to a patient, which would be appropriate for almost any mental illness. It gives basic information in a thoroughly readable, not academic, style. The author has treated over 15,000 patients, teaches at the university level, and has authored several books for professionals. It is clear that he hasn't lost touch with the needs of his patients. "
Features: "The book describes disorders, medications, and therapies, as well as anticipating and addressing the many questions and fears that patients often have in the course of treatment. The vignettes are short and effective. The author answers the questions many people are afraid to ask, and explains things clearly without being patronizing. This book was written to empower the patient and family in getting the best mental healthcare. My only regret that it won't be read by all patients. "
Assessment: "This is an easy-to-read and very thorough reference for virtually any question a person might have about mental illness and its treatment. It answers many questions that patients often have before they seek treatment and, in many cases, may mean the difference between a person getting the help they need or not. Its tone isn't "ivory tower" but rather the sort of advice you'd hope to get from a caring friend. The author is clearly a patient advocate in the best sense of the word. "
Library Journal
Morrison (clinical psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science Univ.; DSM-IV Made Easy) adds to his growing list of works this effective lay readers' guide to treating mental illness. As the author reveals, many people put off getting help for fear of what their treatment may involve, the cost of treatment, of being stigmatized, and the side effects of medication. Morrison provides authoritative answers to those and many other concerns typically raised by individuals and their families, organizing the material into sections on seeking help, mental disorders, and, most important, treatment options. Morrison explains which treatments work best for which illnesses, detailing numerous drugs, including the new generation of antipsychotics. Although written for consumers, this book will also well serve professionals and students and nicely complements Daniel G. Amen's Healing the Hardware of the Soul. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Dale Farris, Groves, TXFrom The Critics
Explaining what really works for a range of psychological difficulties, this guide for general readers tells how to seek help for mental problems and how clinicians determine what is wrong, explains how treatments work and which problems they address, and describes the symptoms and course of various mental health diagnoses and the treatments that are most likely to work. There is much information on drug side effects, interactions, and prices. Morrison is a psychiatrist and educator who has written several books for professionals. He teaches clinical psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, ORFrom the Publisher
"Finally, the support I've been looking for is here. Dr. Morrison explains a wide range of disorders--not just the ones that everyone is talking about at the moment--as well as providing suggestions for possible treatments and medications. This book has helped me find the words I need to discuss my concerns with my doctor and my family, and to make these very difficult decisions with more confidence and peace of mind."--J. London, NYC"What is this? A mental health textbook for public consumption? No way! But Dr. Morrison has combined his careers as a practicing psychiatrist, a noted researcher, a respected teacher, and a popular author to produce this work that I (and many of my colleagues) have wanted to write for years. It should become the flagship among many other fine efforts to help the public navigate the confusing seas of mental disorders. It will be 'must reading' for my patients and their loved ones, as well as my students."--Charles L. Rich, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of South Alabama
"Dr. Morrison has done it again. In his easy, witty, and conversational style, he distills knowledge, wisdom, and thoughtful advice that reflects many years of research, teaching, and clinical practice. This is by far the best guide for anyone who wants to know about mental health care."--Rodrigo A. Muñoz, MD, San Diego County Medical Society
"This book provides what readers might not find anywhere else: a map through the maze of today's mental health system. Consumers are often confused and bewildered about whether they should seek mental health care, and what will happen if they do. How does one find a good doctor or therapist? What are my treatment options, and how do I evaluate the role of medicines and psychotherapy? How do I know if I am getting good care, and how can I make sure that I do? Putting up-to-date information into the hands of informed consumers ready to play an active role in their treatment, this invaluable book is 'must' reading for anyone considering mental health services."--Peter S. Jensen, MD, Department of Child Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
4 Stars! from Doody