This volume documents the vibrant energy and productivity of Japanese consultation-liaison psychiatrists who have developed a new biopsychosocial model for the treatment of patients with a variety of serious diseases. It begins with an overview on the historical background and the present issues in Japan. Further articles deal with psychiatric problems in transplant medicine, psychonephrology, psychooncology and HIV/AIDS. Finally drug-induced psychosis and psychosomatic problems of diabetes patients are discussed. The book will be useful to any physician or mental health care professional who works with the medically ill. It demonstrates the wide range of knowledge and treatment options available to mental health care professionals to intervene when dealing with patients suffering of a serious disease.

Despite great advances in medical technology, the stresses of illness persist, resulting in a significant prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders in hospital and ambulatory medical settings. Consultation-liaison psychiatry is the subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses upon these issues. It has become a link between mental health disciplines and other fields of health care all over the world. This volume documents the vibrant energy and productivity of Japanese consultation-liaison psychiatrists who have developed a new biopsychosocial model for the treatment of patients with a variety of serious diseases. It begins with an overview on the historical background and the present issues in Japan. Further articles deal with psychiatric problems in transplant medicine, psychonephrology, psychooncology and HIV/AIDS. Finally drug-induced psychosis and psychosomatic problems of diabetes patients are discussed. The book will be useful to any physician or mental health care professional who works with the medically ill. It demonstrates the wide range of knowledge and treatment options available to mental health care professionals to intervene when dealing with patients suffering of a serious disease.

This authoritative reference surveys mind-body healing concepts and psychosomatic medicine in diverse countries and regions of the world. It provides practical insights on the Western division between medical and mental healing and useful information concerning recent efforts to bridge that enduring divide, particularly in the use of ancient and indigenous healing knowledge in psychosomatic practice. Coverage compares and contrasts current applications of psychosomatic medicine and/or consultation-liaison psychiatry as conducted in such representative countries as France, Britain, China, India, Argentina, Canada, and the United States. And the book predicts how this synthesis of traditions and advances will progress as it: Traces the history and development of psychosomatic medicine. Reviews contributions of traditional healing methods to psychosomatic medicine. Analyzes national styles of psychosomatic medicine as practiced in specific countries. Compares the status of psychosomatic medicine / consultation-liaison psychiatry in various countries. Considers the future of psychosomatic medicine as the field, and the world, evolves. Global Psychosomatic Medicine and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry expands the knowledge base for psychiatrists, primary care physicians, psychiatric and primary care residents, medical students, behavioral medicine specialists, and others who are interested global and regional perspective on providing biopsychosocial care. It is also relevant for advanced students in health psychology and behavioral medicine, and for professionals in related health fields.

Somatically ill patients often also suffer from psychological symptoms. The diagnosis and treatment of these symptoms and their underlying psychiatric disorders are the task of consultation-liaison psychiatry. In this publication the latest developments, such as psychiatric comorbidity in general hospital inpatients as well as mental disorders in the outpatient setting, and special disorders like depression, alcohol abuse, and delirium, are discussed. One chapter on suicide attempts delineates the results and experiences from the 'German Competency Network on Depression'. The important topic of somatoform disorders in outpatient and inpatient settings is also reviewed. Non-German readers are usually are not aware that, in Germany, there are two distinct board-certified physician specialties dealing with patients with psychiatric illnesses, usually referred to as 'psychiatrists' and 'psychosomaticists'. In the 'Debate Section' succinct viewpoints are presented to enable the reader to decide whether this dichotomy is helpful or not in the clinical care of patients with psychiatric and somatic comorbidity. This publication is essential reading for psychiatrists, psychosomaticists, psychotherapists, geriatricians, psychologists, internists and health care planners. Also medical students and non-psychiatrists who want to broaden their view on how modern psychiatry can assist in the care of their patients will find it of special interest.

Foundations of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry: The Bumpy Road to Specialization documents the development of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry from its inception to the present. The book draws on contributions from philosophy, physiology, psychoanalysis, epidemiology and other disciplines to define the broad scope of the field. Distinctions and similarities between Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine will be of interest to psychiatrists, social workers, and health psychologists, as well as students, residents, and fellows pursuing careers in these disciplines.