Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

INTRODUCTORY TEXTBOOK OF PSYCHIATRY 6ED

Rate this book
The third edition of this broad, lively text depicts psychiatry as a field virtually exploding with new knowledge rather than-as is too often the case-as a field mired in the past. Its two distinguished authors, whose work as scholars, teachers, and research scientists serves to further enhance this volume's wide appeal, present the fundamentals for practicing psychiatry in four sections: Background-History, diagnosis, assessments, laboratory tests, neurobiology Psychiatric disorders-Cognitive disorders, schizophrenia, delusional and other psychotic disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform and related disorders, dissociative disorders, alcohol-related and other substance-related disorders, personality disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, eating disorders, adjustment disorders, and impulse control disorders Special topics-Suicide and violent behavior, psychiatric aspects of HIV infection, disorders of childhood and adolescence, sleep disorders, and legal issues Treatments-Psychosocial and somatic

In addition to exciting new findings about specific psychiatric disorders and new case vignettes, illustrations, and tables, the authors include expanded chapters on the psychiatric aspects of AIDS, reflecting the exponential increase in knowledge about this still-unchecked worldwide epidemic, and on somatic treatments, reflecting the burgeoning knowledge about new drug treatments, particularly antidepressants.

The authors have also added the Beck Depression Inventory-a self-report patient questionnaire to help the clinician obtain an objective measure of the patient's condition-to their helpful appendix of diagnostic scales andmeasurements now being integrated into routine clinical care. For example, the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination, which assesses cognitive functioning) has become such an important assessment tool that students learning about cognitive disorders need to be familiar with it.

An added bonus to this third edition is the authors' thoughtful inclusion of model curriculum recommendations for students and psychiatry clerkship directors.

Popular among an increasing number of professors, the scope of this user-friendly textbook is sufficiently broad to satisfy students (specifically, third- and fourth-year medical students rotating through psychiatry and first- and second-year residents) who wish to gain a wide exposure to psychiatry. This highly readable, comprehensive reference will also find a wide audience among clinicians in private practice, social workers, nursing students, physician's assistants, and laypersons interested in learning more about psychiatric illnesses.

778 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1990

15 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Donald W. Black

18 books1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
27 (27%)
4 stars
39 (39%)
3 stars
22 (22%)
2 stars
12 (12%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for KappaAlpha.
19 reviews
July 31, 2023
Gave me amazing insights to psychiatry. I loved the vignettes for some diseases from patients. Made the presentation of some diseases much clearer. I’m also sure it gave me a good background. It will always be a minor book of reference for me.
Profile Image for Marie Clare.
50 reviews
December 18, 2025
honestly this textbook rocks. I hope everyone involved got some sloppy.
Profile Image for Kateryna Martynenko.
100 reviews21 followers
January 2, 2026
Цікава і пізнавальна книга, яка буде корисна всім людям для кращого розуміння суспільства, психіки і того, що нас оточує. У книзі стисло описані всі психічні явища і як вони проявляються. Також надається статистика того, яка кількість населення має такі проблеми. Людині, яка не є спеціалістом, ця книга все одно легко читатиметься і з неї можна дізнатися багато корисного. Наприклад, я зрозуміла для себе, що люди старшого віку, які говорять в метро з кимось, кого не існує, скоріш за все мають психотичні ускладнення на фоні деменції.

Чим ще корисна ця книга - вона допомагає зрозуміти ті психічні проблеми, які існували у людей тисячоліттями і вони були описані в культурі без рощуміння їх природи, пояснюючи їх надприродним походженням і додаючи міфів. Наприклад, історії про людину, яка заклякла в одній позі і так простояла тижнями - це перебільшений опис одного із видів кататонії, яка буває, наприклад, при шизофренії.

Загалом, на мою думку, у стислому і адаптованому вигляді зміст цієї книги варто було б доносити до всіх людей ще в шкільні роки. Це би мало 2 задачі - одна це збільшити розуміння і толерантність до інших людей, бо у більшості людей протягом життя будуть якісь психічні проблеми того чи іншого характеру. А інша - це знизити стигматизацію психіатрії і дати людям розуміння, що навіть з невротичними типами психічних проблем можна звертатися до психіатра і отримувати лікування. Це особливо актуально в Україні, де перша асоціація зі словом психіатрія - каральна.
2 reviews
January 23, 2011
Definitely a good intro to psychiatry. There are some sections that could be clearer and some recommendations I disagree with, but overall a good place to get an overview of psychiatry, especially since the authors don't just spit out info, but also give perspective and deeper understanding on certain topics.
Profile Image for Daniel.
7 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2009
A really good overview and explanation of psychiatric disorders. Well-written and understandable for entry-level mental health professionals.
20 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2011
title says it all. really well organized, easy reference for anyone needing the basics (diagnosis, treatment, etc).
Profile Image for C.
569 reviews19 followers
December 10, 2014
A decent reference book with DSM5 well-incorporated throughout. Bonus points for the Lolita quote beginning the sexual dysfunction chapter.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.