Understanding Troubled Minds: A Guide to Mental Illness and Its Treatment

by Sidney Bloch

Many of us take our mental health for granted, so when we are confronted by mental illness in friends or family members, or in ourselves, we can be overwhelmed.
Understanding Troubled Minds is a calm and authoritative guide that takes us through the full range of mental illnesses and their treatments, emphasising the value of partnerships between psychiatrists, patients and their families. There are chapters that deal with mental illnesses afflicting children and adolescents, women and the elderly, as well as covering eating disorders, self-harm, gender identity and alcohol and drug dependence.
Sidney Bloch, an eminent academic psychiatrist of many years' clinical experience, highlights the place of hope and optimism throughout, pointing to the great strides being made in the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
Acknowledging the complexity of human nature, Professor Bloch weaves stories of real people and the insights of many writers and artists throughout the text. Balanced, humanistic and thoroughly readable, this updated edition of Understanding Troubled Minds serves as a practical guide to mental illness and its treatment.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[astrid bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is some of the better psychoed i’ve read for gen pop

[Mikey Novotny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive generalist overview of mental health illnesses and their contemporary and historic treatments. I benefitted from the fact it had an Australian-centred view on the field of psychiatry and psychology.
I found the psychotherapy section very general and short, and the author seemed a bit preoccupied with thyroids?? However, the personality disorders section was illuminating, as I have previously failed to grasp their significance and prevalence in the community.

[Stefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief introduction to mental illnesses and treatments of these. It is good to fill in gaps in overall understanding and organise anecdotally acquired knowledge. Writing is solid, edit hasn't left too many repetitions, and interludes with examples kept me engaged.. If you treat mental health seriously already, probably you won't find much anew in the book. Otherwise, it will be time well spent.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of the field of mental health from the perspective of psychiatry. Bloch tackles the subject with humility and compassion, acknowledging the limitations of his discipline along with its checkered history, but at the same time expressing optimism and hope in contemporary interventions for those who suffer. Recommended reading for those working in the helping professions.

[Pam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing book this one is. I have learnt so much about " MENTAL ILLNESS" having a friend who has this problem, gives you an insight into how psychiatrists diagnose the problem and solutions to help deal with it. Its an intense book but if you know of anyone who has mental illness then you should read this book. Packed full of information on how troubled minds see things, that somc can be stress related together with a persons emotional state and how their perception of reality is splintered. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - A MUST READ

[Leodor Natus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a fun read. Although seemingly accurate in it's contents I was not content with the lack of discussion in this book.

So I guess it's not a bad book per se, but just didn't cut it for me.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good beginning guide and source.