Main description:

Thoroughly updated for its Second Edition, this practical guide will aid residents and clinicians in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of mood disorders. Using the conversational style and clinical vignettes found in all Practical Guides in Psychiatry titles, Dr. Ghaemi explains how to accurately diagnose unipolar depression and bipolar disorder and offers specific, detailed, evidence-based recommendations on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Chapters review the pharmacology of all antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics in current use and point out these drugs' advantages and drawbacks in specific clinical situations. Other chapters address clinical problems such as depression, mania, and ADHD in children and the conundrum of schizoaffective disorder.

The Practical Guides in Psychiatry series provides quick, concise information for professionals on the front lines of mental health care. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, these invaluable resources take you through each step of the psychiatric care process, delivering fast facts and helpful strategies that help you provide effective and compassionate care to your patients.

Contents:

DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis and Description of Mood Disorders
The Unipolar Depressive Spectrum
Bipolar Disorder
The Bipolar Spectrum

BASIC PRINCIPLES
Toward a Hippocratic Psychopharmacology
Genes and Environment
What is a Mood Stabilizer or Antidepressant? Definitions of Drug Classes

TREATMENT OF UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION
General Principles for Treatment of Unipolar Depression
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants
Atypical Antidepressants
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Treatment Strategies for Refractory Unipolar Depression

TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER
General Principles of Bipolar Disorder
Lithium
Standard Anticonvulsants
Novel Anticonvulsants
Atypical Neuroleptic Agents
Standard Antidepressants
Treatment Strategies for Refractory Bipolar Disorder
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

SPECIAL TOPICS
Children: Depression, Mania, and ADHD
Psychotherapies for Mood Disorders
The Elderly
The Conundrum of Schizoaffective Disorder

FOR FAMILIES AND CLINICIANS
For Clinicians: A Guide to the Clinical Interview of Mood Disorders
For Families: How to Help Relatives with Mood Disorders