Customer Reviews

Psychiatry

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

 

 

Inaccurate and hopelessly out of date regarding ME/CFIDS. ME is a common and extremely disabling neuroendocrine immune disease associated with two retroviruses and rare lymphomas. Classifies ME under 'neurasthenia' which in turn is classified under "neurotic (anxiety) disorders." This is akin to having an entry on MS calling it 'hysterical paralysis' under "neurotic (anxiety) disorders". 'Hysterical paralysis' is the old name for MS when it was considered psychogenic.

The parts of this text I've read were remarkably comprehensive and practical. I took a lot of notes and look forward to looking up more topics in the text! Will refer residents to several tables with rich descriptions of terms used in describing psychiatric findings.

You can use this book for a bit of everything: as a core text, on a clinical rotation and as a revision text.

Three major strengths of this book:

1. Organisation: very easy to find your way around and subsequently follow the development of ideas. Spot-on explanations of key concepts, which are concise without being too brief.

2. Presentation: colour-coding, tables, chapter indentation and succinct diagrams. The whole kaboodle makes it pretty much a joy to read, no joking.

3. Case studies: reinforces information you have just read. You appreciate what you've been taking in and what you haven't.

Overall description:

Author clearly sets out objectives in introduction and sticks to them. He spices up the book making the subject even more striking and memorable, while keeping it within context. Doesn't feel like you're reading a typical medical textbook, as it's so lively and imaginative. A heady mixture of different approaches to the subject including history, art and philosophy give it a broad sweep. Make it all very life-like and not too bookish.

The clear chapter divisions encourages you to compartmentalise the material as you go along. There is no risk of being overwhelmed by facts and data. True/false questions capping each chapter see to this. You keep track of your progress. These questions also double as a summary, saving you time if you are skim-reading and looking for specific points.

You learn a lot on diagnosis thanks to clear definitions of different symptoms. Felt a lot less confused about various pathologies. Authoritative reminders of subject guidelines makes you feel good about yourself as you know you're covering what you need to.

Summary points manage to bring together loose strands of thought and keeps structure nicely coherent. Tables and flow charts can be read without accompanying text if you're in a rush.

An excellent all-round book.

The views held of the neurological disease Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is outdated (not to mention woefully inaccurate) and that leads me to question the accuracy of the rest of the text.