Customer Reviews

Dsm-IV Casebook: A Learning Companion to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The casebook is an excellent companion to the DSM IV. The casebook provides real examples of the disorders presented in the DSM IV and splits them into child/adolescent and adult categories. In addition, each case is discussed in terms of DSM IV diagnosis. As a graduate student in clinical psychology I found this book essential in the study of the DSM IV and abnormal psychology.

The best thing about this book is the huge number of cases of varying kinds that are showcased. The reader just does never get bored of it and the excitement, intrigue and interest in the subject itself its enhanced by a thousandfold.

The book moves along the lines of a number of cases given in no particular order. The reader has the ability to read the case and come up with his own dignosis and then finally comparing it with the discussion presented after. The no particular order of presentation is greatly helpful in that the reader does not know what to expect and has to think and formulate his own differential. Most of the cases are well presented and though not classic like those showcased in books, they have the spice of being real cases. In other words, these are the same features you will be seeing in your everyday practice or psychiatry clerkship. If you wanted a specific case to read about, the index in the back clearly highlights where to find it in more than one different classification.

The biggest letdown of this book is that it fails to point out patient management. It is understandable that this is more of a case presentation book, but knowing how to tailor therapy for each individulaized patients is a great plus. This, however, is not implemented greatly in this book. The authors would mention the use of antidepressants or neuroleptics, but not mention exactly which type or kind of those does the patient respond to. Brief therapeutics and a follow-up discussion is presented most of the time, but that still fails to point out how management of the patient has progressed.

All in all, this book is excellent for learning in a more clinical type setting. Required reading before this book is a well established Psychiatry textbook to identify the diseases in general and after that, you're set to go. This aids the reader to independently identify the problem accordingly and to form an well established differential and final diagnosis. All in all, I strongly recommend this book as an adjunct to a Psychiatry textbook, if not the DSM-IV per se.

I bought a copy of this in my abnormal psych class. I will probably use it again when I study for my boards. It's a great book of vignettes, followed by a discussion of the case. Great practice for making DSM diagnoses. Indices allow studying material by disorder type, or the book can be worked through from the beginning. The cases are randomly ordered.

This all begs the question of the validity of the DSM or the usefulness of labeling people, but if you have to work within that system, this book will help get you up to speed.

I have the DSM-IV and this case book is a wonderful addition to it. It makes it easier to diagnose when you have examples to think about and reference to. I would recommend this for any Psychology major as an addition to the DSM-IV. Also, since it does not go in the same order as the DSM-IV, there is no cheating and prompts further thinking and knowledge. Great buy! I ordered mine used, but it was in excellent condition with no markings.

I supervise mental health professionals towards licensure and this book is a great tool to assist with the basics of diagnosing with the DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR. Although there is a newer one out specifically made for the DSM-IV-TR, there is almost no differences between the books and the older copy (this one) tends to be purchased for less.

This was an optional text for my graduate Abnormal Psychology course, but I decided to go ahead and buy it anyway. And I am glad I did--It makes the DSM fun. And the DSM-IV casebook is basically the same as the DSM-IV-TR casebook, just different DSM page references and a different cover and a whole lot cheaper. I am very pleased with this purchase.

I'm very partial to the Learning Companion to the DSMs. It covers a lot of material quick. To get the equivalent information, you would have to go book by book on each disorder. Also, it is the kind of book you can pick up, forget about, pick back up again, jump around to different sections, and lose nothing in the process. My only complaint is that there aren't another 5 versions of the case study collections for one DSM edition!

this book is a great resource for honing diagnostic skills in general and helps the reader become more adept at considering differentials as well. the cases are very interesting and thought-provoking. another great resource is DSM-IV Made Easy: The Clinician's Guide to Diagnosis. this book offers more of an educational and explanatory approach to diagnosis AND includes case examples. it rates 5 stars for that extra elaboration.

I am a graduate student, and I found this book to be very helpful. It brought the DSMIV to life. Now, I have a full understanding of what to expect. Everyone should buy this book.