Models of the Mind: A Framework for Biopsychosocial Psychiatry / Edition 1

by Stephen L. Dilts

Overview

Making sense of such bewildering problems as hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and anxiety seems an incredible challenge, but modern psychiatry is able to bring understanding and change to many of those whose lives are impaired by psychiatric problems. This is not accomplished through the application of one dominant psychological theory, but through the integration of perspectives of many such theories in this diverse field into a befitting approach-the biopsychosocial model.
Application of the biopsychosocial model will allow for understanding the patient in biological, psychological, and social terms simultaneously, and provide a holistic picture with multiple strategies for treatment.
In this book, the author takes a step back from the assessment to demonstrate to the student methods of the information gathered from the patient into a clinically useful whole, essentially showing exactly how and why the psychiatrist arrives at an intervention.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781583910719
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/10/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	348
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgments, Part I: Models of the Mind, Part II: Biological Models, Part III: Psychological Models, Part IV: Social Models, References, Glossary, Index, About the author

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Nishad J. Nadkarni, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: The author of this book attempts to apply the concepts of the integrative biopsychosocial model to psychiatry in general, from psychopathology and basic neurobiology through treatment methods and approaches.
Purpose: The author feels that a framework for such an integrative approach needs to be established in order to fully understand the complexity of psychiatry today, especially given a perceived trend towards more reductionist approaches in recent times.
Audience: According to the author, this book is targeted towards psychiatrists and psychiatric residents/trainees who desire a stronger understanding of psychiatric phenomena within the biopsychosocial framework. However, the level of writing appears to be much too simplistic for this audience, and this book would better suit medical students interested in psychiatry.
Features: An overview approach to the subject is sought by the author, with sections introducing such diverse concepts as a biopsychosocial approach to neurobiology, through use of this integrative model in sophisticated treatment approaches including cognitive, psychodynamic and group therapies. Helpful are end of chapter summaries of key material as well as "bullet points" of highlights extracted from the body of the text.
Assessment: Although conceptually ambitious, this text unfortunately falls significantly short of the mark organizationally. Specifically, there is great difficulty in connecting the purpose of providing a biopsychosocial framework for understanding psychiatry with the more "introductory" and quite superficial level of content of the chapters. As well, the very purpose of such a book may be called into question as generally all introductory texts on psychiatry within the last 15 to 20 years embrace the biopsychosocial model much more effectively.

Doody's Review Service

"This a concise text . . . [it] provides the reader with the framework of the biopsychosocial model and guidelines for applying the model to diagnosis and treatment. The text is easy to read and understand, even for those with no prior psychiatric knowledge. . . It is an excellent book for its target audience." - Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association

From the Publisher

2 Stars from Doody