Manic-Depressive Illness

by Frederick K. Goodwin, Kay Redfield Jamison

The revolution in psychiatry that began mid-century has led to dramatic advances in the understanding and treatment of manic-depressive illness. No other mental disorder has been the subject of such clinically useful and scientifically productive research. This book is the first to survey this
massive body of evidence comprehensively and to assess its meaning for both clinician and scientist. It also vividly portrays the experience of manic-depressive illness from the perspective of patients, their doctors, and researchers, and recounts the torments of some of the great poets and
composers whose art was almost certainly enriched, energized, and deepened by the extremes of manic-depressive illness.
Drawing on the wisdom of classic psychiatric authors, the book encompasses knowledge about manic-depressive illness as Kraepelin originally defined it. Drs. Goodwin and Jamison's understanding of the illness, gained from their own extensive research and clinical experience, guided their
interpretation of the literature. Like Kraepelin, they emphasize the cyclical course of manic-depressive illness and the essential unity of its bipolar and recurrent unipolar forms. Encyclopedic in scope, this volume exhaustively reviews the biological and genetic literature that has dominated the
field in recent years. It also surveys the psychological and epidemiological evidence, as well as that pertaining to diagnostic issues, course, and outcome. The authors offer practical guidelines for differential diagnosis and clinical management. The medical treatment of manic and depressive
episodes is described, strategies for preventing future episodes are given in detail, and psychotherapeutic issues common in this illness are considered. Special emphasis is given to fostering compliance with medication regimens and treating bipolar patients who abuse drugs and alcohol or who pose a
risk of suicide. This book, the product of a decade of work, will be a valuable addition to the libraries of psychiatrists and other physicians, psychologists, clinical social workers, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, and the patients and families who live with manic-depressive illness.

Genres: Psychology, Science, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Reference, Self Help, Mental Illness

938 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[unnarrator · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's twenty years old but it's still the best/practically only book of its kind: basically a giant, blisteringly dull and colossally thorough version of Robert Burton, but much more boring. Come on, guys, update this fucker. I've been rereading it since 1990 and I want at least a new typeface, if not a few handsome color plates. Oh, and you might finally join the DSM-V and give up and call it bipolar disorder, too.

EDITED TO ADD that I am a giant dork: the second edition came out in 2007.

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general...

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Redfield Jamison is one of my heroes. For many reasons. But in part because this manual of abnormal psychology is so well written.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a textbook and excellent source for definitive information and education related to Bipolar Disorder.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

a defining moment in the history of manic-depressive disorder research and education

a million gold stars