Devoid of the often mind-numbing technical "psychobabble" and "medicalbabble" so characteristic of other books on the subject, this collection of abnormal psychology cases uses clear, accessible language and explanations, and a unique case conference format. Each case begins with some background information and, similar to Ellery Queen mysteries, readers are challenged through questions at various points to try and decide what is going on based on the amount of information presented. As each case gradually unfolds, readers are drawn deeper into the case and must keep on reading to discover the case's assessment(s), evaluations, diagnoses, treatment plan(s), possible medications, and prognoses. The book features real cases based on a variety of psychopathologies--all involving patients/clients from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, social, and socioeconomic backgrounds--and all based on the author's own experiences as a practicing social worker and psychologist. Anxiety Disorders I. Anxiety Disorders II. Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders. Mood Disorders. Personality Disorders. Substance Related Disorders. Eating Disorders. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders. Developmental Disorders. Developmental Disorders II. You Be the Diagnostician! Where Do We Go From Here? For anyone interested in abnormal psychology, including health care workers, social workers, educators, etc.

Devoid of the often mind-numbing technical "psychobabble" and "medicalbabble" so characteristic of other books on the subject, this collection of abnormal psychology cases uses clear, accessible language and explanations, and a unique case conference format. Each case begins with some background information and, similar to Ellery Queen mysteries, readers are challenged through questions at various points to try and decide what is going on based on the amount of information presented. As each case gradually unfolds, readers are drawn deeper into the case and must keep on reading to discover the case's assessment(s), evaluations, diagnoses, treatment plan(s), possible medications, and prognoses. The book features real cases based on a variety of psychopathologies--all involving patients/clients from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, social, and socioeconomic backgrounds--and all based on the author's own experiences as a practicing social worker and psychologist. Anxiety Disorders I. Anxiety Disorders II. Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders. Mood Disorders. Personality Disorders. Substance Related Disorders. Eating Disorders. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders. Developmental Disorders. Developmental Disorders II. You Be the Diagnostician! Where Do We Go From Here? For anyone interested in abnormal psychology, including health care workers, social workers, educators, etc.

Using cases taken from the authors' case files or from case files of other working clinicians, this casebook portrays the rich and arresting nature of disorders as they are displayed in real people. Cases illustrate every major DSM-IV category and are followed by a therapy outcome section which gives the "rest of the story" of what happened to these clients. The authors draw on an extremely current and thorough database, look at the multiple causes of disorders, and incorporate developmental and cultural issues in each case. Two complex cases are included without a diagnosis to give students an opportunity to come up with diagnoses on their own. The cases are designed to give students an appreciation for the complexity of the diagnostic process.

A series of vivid and detailed portraits of individuals with a particular psychiatric disorder, this text is an ideal supplement for any abnormal psychology course. Students gain a deeper understanding of what life is like for people who have the disorders, and develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand diagnosis and treatment decisions.