The book is divided into three sections. The first section lays the foundation by looking at basic principles and the leading psychoanalytic theories from which psychodynamic psychiatry derives. Applications of psychodynamic thinking to assessment of the patient, pharmacotherapy, group therapy, marital/family therapy, and multiple-treater systems, such as day hospital and inpatient treatment, are also covered. In addition, there is a detailed chapter on individual psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Section 2 consists of a series of seven chapters on the major Axis I psychiatric disorders. In each chapter the author does not limit himself to psychodynamic psychotherapy. Rather, he illustrates how psychodynamic thinking can be applied to every clinical situation regardless of which treatment modality is being used by the clinician. In addition, the diagnostic understanding and treatment approach is guided by an integration of recent data that draws on literature from biological psychiatry, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis.
The third and final section discusses the major Axis II disorders from a similar perspective. Each of the DSM-IV personality disorders is examined in terms of what is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder andhow to construct and implement a comprehensive treatment plan that is based on psychodynamic thinking.
Both experienced clinicians and students in the mental health professions will benefit from the author's comprehensive but easily understandable approach to all of the major psychiatric disorders encountered in clinical practice.
