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During a one-year period in the city of St Louis and surrounding counties, authorities determined that 134 of all deaths registered were suicides. This title is the report of a clinical study that attempts to determine the antecedents of those suicides, using information and observations contributed by the victims’ close associates. Based on a statistical computation of the information collected, the researchers were able to answer a number of previously open questions about suicide. This title includes a set of fully detailed case histories. Presented without interpretation, the allow readers to judge for themselves the clinical development of illness and the validity of diagnoses. In addition, a ‘score card’ for each case illustrates the study team’s step-by-step diagnostic procedure. Of particular interest to mental health workers will be a discussion of predictors of suicide and the process by which diagnoses were assigned.Less

There are approximately 30,000 suicides in the United States each year. Over 20% of these suicides are completed by active duty service members and military veterans. Experts in the field of military suicide collaboratively contributed to this textbook to summarize the current state of research on this important topic. The text encompasses various themes; it defines the scope of the problem, outlines current methods for screening and assessing suicide risk, summarizes both evidence-based treatments and risk management techniques, and describes current suicide prevention efforts. Specific topics among such themes explore the effect of psychological trauma, traumatic brain injury, and the impact of military culture on suicide risk. In addition, the text provides an overview of suicide efforts targeted for special population veteran and active duty service members, such as the Army National Guard and Special Operations Forces. Ethical considerations, challenges of research, as well as future directions are highlighted to provide the reader with a critical analysis of military and veteran suicide research. The information provided herein is ideal for care providers such as physicians, psychologists, and mental health professionals—as well as academics whose work involves military service members and veterans.Less

Many fascinating and important psychological disorders are either omitted from our current diagnostic systems or rarely covered during graduate or medical training. As a result, most mental health students and trainees are never taught to identify, diagnose, or treat them. This lack of attention has real-world consequences not only for patients, but for basic science as well.This volume collects and usefully synthesizes the scientific and clinical literatures of 21 lesser-known, but nonetheless important, psychological disorders. The chapters are broadly grouped into (a) disorders of sleep, (b) variations in psychosis, (c) sexual disorders/disorders of arousal, (d) culture-bound disorders, and (e) miscellaneous syndromes. All chapters follow a uniform structure and begin with a vivid clinical vignette. After discussing the historical context of each disorder, consideration is given to the typical presentation, the current roles in diagnostic systems (if any), and the main etiological theories. Next, clinically relevant information on assessment and differential diagnosis is provided. Finally, specific treatment recommendations are made and future directions for research are discussed. This unique and engaging volume will not only be a useful resource for researchers and clinicians who already possess expertise in the more well-known manifestations of psychopathology, but it will also be of interest to students and trainees in the mental health professions.Less