The Trauma Model : A Solution to the Problem of Comorbidity in Psychiatry [Paperback]

Colin A. Ross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2000

In The Trauma Model, Dr. Ross provides a detailed, scientifically testable model of mental illness. He defines the problem of comorbidity as the central conceptual problem in psychiatry at the beginning of the twenty-first century, then solves it using the logic and predictions of the trauma model. A person with extensive comorbidity suffers from many different psychiatric disorders at the same time including depression, substance abuse, anxiety and eating disorders, psychotic symptoms and personality disorders. Most individuals requiring inpatient psychiatric treatment fit the clinical profile of the trauma model.

Dr. Ross also provides a detailed description of trauma therapy, which is suitable for a wide range of addictions, self-destructive behaviors and symptoms. General principles and specific techniques are described and illustrated with dialogue from composite case examples.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colin A. Ross received his M.D. from the University of Alberta in 1981, and completed his specialty training in psychiatry at the University of Manitoba in 1985. He is the author of over 100 papers in professional journals, most of them dealing with psychological trauma and its longterm consequences. Colin Ross, M.D. is also the author of Dissociative Identity Disorder: Diagnosis, Clinical Features, and Treatment of Multiple Personality, Second Edition (1997), Pseudoscience in Biological Psychiatry, (1995), Satanic Ritual Abuse: Principles of Treatment, (1995), The Osiris Complex: Case Studies in Multiple Personality Disorder (1994), and Multiple Personality Disorder: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Treatment (1989). He is a Past President of the International Society fo the Study of Dissociation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Manitou Communications Inc (December 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970452500
• ISBN-13: 978-0970452504
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Colin A. Ross, M.D. received his degree from the University of Alberta in 1981 and completed his psychiatry training at the University of Manitoba in 1985. Dr. Ross is an internationally renowned clinician, researcher, author and lecturer in the field of traumatic stress and trauma related disorders. He is the founder and President of The Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma. Besides his work at Timberlawn Hospital in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Ross consults to Trauma Programs at Forest View Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Del Amo Hospital in Torrance California. He has authored over 140 professional papers and 23 books. He has reviewed for numerous professional journals and is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. In addition, Dr. Ross has served as expert witness in over 50 court cases, consulted on several cable, movie and video productions and has produced six educational DVD's and CD's for mental health professionals on the treatment of trauma based disorders.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY Technical, but extremely interesting!, August 28, 2001

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"deafmom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trauma Model : A Solution to the Problem of Comorbidity in Psychiatry (Paperback)

Although it is obvious that this book was written more for other physicians and workers in the mental health profession (the vocabulary is quite advanced to say the least), I found each new chapter held something in it to help me learn more about the effects of trauma and the different outcomes of a traumatic childhood. I, having Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) was relieved to read that I was not different in the fact that I had been diagnosed with almost everything and have been in and out of hospitals. I've also worked with the author's staff as well as his assistant and, although I'm not quite sure of my thoughts on his view of memories, I totally agree that memories are not the point. The point is that we wouldn't have problems if life had been bliss. I highly recommend this THICK book to anyone who, if they don't have a complex vocabulary, is willing to look up words as they go. (smile)

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The significance of trauma, July 24, 2001

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Pat Poor (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trauma Model : A Solution to the Problem of Comorbidity in Psychiatry (Paperback)

In this landmark work, Dr. Ross challenges the field of psychiatry to make a giant leap forward in the treatment of mental illness. After 21 years of carefully listening to patients and weighing scientific evidence, he has hit on what should now be obvious: trauma causes and/or contributes to most psychiatric disorders. This is especially true for comorbid (many diagnosies) patients. Just as a single disease can produce multiple physical symptoms, unresolved trauma can generate multiple diagnosies. He describes why the single gene-single disease and biomedical reductionist models don't work for psychiatry. He also points out many flaws in logic in the DSM IV diagnosies, making specific revision suggestions. His hypothesies will pique the curiosity of many reseachers and lead to many dissertations. He concludes if trauma therapy is added to medication for many patients, outcomes will be much improved. This is a must read for the serious mental health professional.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, June 16, 2008

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alice87 "lizka" (wa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Trauma Model (Perfect Paperback)

Excellent book on a subject. If you are interested how trauma influence health, this is a must read.
You will find a trauma pyramide, explanations that trauma is, description of most common traumas, including perfectinostic parents, setting unrealistic expectations, physical, sexual abuse. This is a good read for someone who is interested in Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Trauma and abuse history is thoroughly explained and supported by research. Colin Ross describe his theory why SSRI are effective in treating various disorder and how trauma gradually develops in a human being by age 10, if this person grow up in abusive environment. He give some ideas about the way cognitive therapy is done to his patients and the way patients respond to it.
The book is full of memories how his psychiatry training was done, which is a fun read. I've found Dr. Ross remind me Eric Bern the way he describe things and his sense of humour is fascinating. It is very compassionate book.