Organic Psychiatry

by William Alwyn Lishman

Book Overview

This classic single-author text has been extensively revised and updated. As in previous editions it provides a comprehensive review of cognitive, emotional and behavioural consequences of cerebral... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0632014962
• ISBN13: 9780632014965
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Blackwell Science
• Length: 758 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 8.7" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

A Book for Psychiatrists in Medical Settings

Organic Psychiatry (Third Edition) is a book written by a psychiatrist that is most useful for psychiatrists in medical settings. It provides the unique perspectives of its author William Alwyn Lishman who began writing the First Edition in 1977. The author explains why he began writing the text in his "Preface to the First Edition". Through clinical practice and teaching he observed the large "borderland" zone between neurology and psychiatry. His initial goal was to look at the psychiatric consequences of a cerebral disorder from either structural or systemic disease. His intent was to avoid the speculative mechanisms of biological psychiatry and restrictive definitions of neuropsychiatry. He is aware of the fact that the term "organic" has lost favor as markers of brain dysfunction become more sensitive. On the other hand he considers it a practical definition to designate disorders where there is a high probability that the appropriate evaluation will yield "cerebral or systemic pathology responsible for, or contributing significantly to, the mental condition."The book is laid out in two sections. The first section entitled "Principles" consists of four chapters dedicated to the assessment and differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders associated with brain dysfunction. Cognitive and psychiatric symptoms are presented from the standpoint of phenomenology and cerebral localization. In the assessment chapter the medical evaluation is discussed and there is a summary of psychometric tests and their relative applications. The differential diagnosis section explores a number of useful dimensions to assist in the consideration of determining whether a non-psychiatric illness is causing the symptoms. The etiologies are given in table form and they roughly correspond to subsequent chapters. The second section "Specific Disorders" looks at a wide variety of medical problems associated with brain dysfunction. It is grouped into eleven chapters by general disease process or affected system. The book ends with a 118-page reference section. Lishman's text has practical application in the complex cases seen in inpatient psychiatric practice. For example, it is common these days to receive a patient transferred from a medical service where the diagnosis and etiology of delirium versus psychosis is unclear. Frequently these patients have unexplained medical symptoms early in their course such as an acute febrile illness or unequivocal signs and symptoms of physical illness. The usual course of events is that the transferring service has done brain imaging studies, a chest X-ray, blood and urine tests and cultures, and possibly obtained a neurological consultation. The receiving psychiatrist is in the position of receiving a patient who may still appear delirious. All of the accompanying tests and procedures must be reviewed. There are frequently findings like elevations in cerebrospinal fluid proteins, mild pleocytosis, or abnormal

Absolutely Fabulous. A Tour-de-Force!!

Lishman's mega-work is an absolute necessity for any psychiatrist, psychologist, behavioral neurologist, and neuropsychologist. He covers literally every medical condition that has CNS effects - from the mundane to the obscure - as well as standard functional disorders. This is a major resource for the student, teacher, researcher, or practicing clinician in the neurosciences. If you are studying for the Boards, preparing course lectures, or just for your own clinical 'edification', this is the best reference of its type. Lishman is authoritative & complete, with outstanding and up-to-date references on all topics, clinical presentations of syndromes, laboratory studies, large N studies, and case studies, as well. He has really done his homework in a very thorough and professional way. This is a highly recommended must have!

Brave attempt to summarise fast-changing subject

Long-awaited third edition suffers from word processor-itis. Colour photos less than impressive and clear need to move into a new publishing field to meet with fast changing subject.