Details

Acknowledgments ix <p>1 The Nature of the Problem 1</p> <p>2 Laying the Groundwork 11</p> <p>3 Characteristics That Make Somatic Diseases Difficult to Detect 21</p> <p>4 Patterns in Time 61</p> <p>5 The Clinical Interview 83</p> <p>6 The History of the Present Illness 97</p> <p>7 Specific Physical Signs and Symptoms 103</p> <p>8 Classical Presentations—Focal Signs, Dementia, and Delirium 129</p> <p>9 Specific Mental Signs and Symptoms 149</p> <p>10 Important Aspects of the Patient Assessment—A Second Look 223</p> <p>11 Extended Clinical Vignettes—Working With Patients 241</p> <p>References 277</p> <p>Author Index 281</p> <p>Subject Index 283</p>

"<i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms: How Therapists Can Learn to Recognize the Psychological Presentation of Medical Disorders</i> is designed to help therapists bridge the gaps in their expertise between psychology and medicine so as to prepare them to better understand their patients and have a higher index of suspicion about medical factors that may affect them. The tone and scope render Unmasking Psychological Symptoms an ideal read for therapists.... Schildkrout does an excellent job throughout the book of initially presenting information in the psychological manner that a therapist might typically consider it and then elucidating what the same information may suggest from a medical perspective. Her approach does not feel condescending to a nonmedically trained therapist but rather offers a different perspective that may simply result in a desire to be more thoughtful in clinical practice... <i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms</i> makes an excellent companion to psychology and psychiatry textbooks, especially those related to health psychology and consultation–liaison psychiatry." (<i>PsycCRITIQUES</i>, May 16, 2012, Vol. 57, Release 19, Article 8)

<b>Barbara Schildkrout</b>, MD, is a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School. She has taught for many years at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy. She is a board-certified psychiatrist and has had a private clinical practice in the Boston area for over twenty-five years.

<b>A clear and systematic guide for identifying psychological symptoms that may be masking a medical disorder</b> <p>How can a clinician tell if a patient might have an underlying, discrete medical condition that may be causing or complicating a presenting problem? And how might this be brought to light during an interview? An essential primer encouraging clinicians to use the therapeutic skills of observation and clinical curiosity they already possess, <i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms</i> explores more than one hundred medical conditions—including thyroid disorders, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, sleep apnea, HIV, Lyme disease, and many other disorders that produce psychological symptoms. It helps practitioners direct their diagnostic skills to recognize when a physician's evaluation may be called for as the next step in treatment.</p> <p>Filled with examples based on the experiences of real patients and clinicians, <i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms</i> covers:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Performing a thorough assessment</p> </li> <li> <p>The characteristics that make organic diseases difficult to detect</p> </li> <li> <p>The signs, symptoms, and behavior patterns clinicians should look for when an underlying medical condition is suspected</p> </li> <li> <p>How to know when to refer patients for a medical workup</p> </li> </ul> <p>Straightforward and practical, <i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms</i> shows therapists how to optimally use their knowledge base and experience to provide the most effective treatment for their patients.</p>

"In this practical and easy to read volume, <i>Unmasking Psychological Symptoms,</i> Dr. Barbara Schildkout, an experienced psychiatrist, offers both medical and non-medical psychotherapists a much-needed overview of the complex interrelationship between physical and psychological disorders. She shows how psychological symptoms can easily mask underlying medical illness and mislead even those of us with the best training and intentions. She underscores the need to be vigilant in our clinical formulations, always on alert for signs and symptoms of medical disorders. One of the strengths of this volume is the author's use of abundant clinical vignettes to illustrate her points. She uses these cases to take the reader through important lines of inquiry that are essential for clinicians. Reading this volume will help us not be seduced by our psychological theories and lead us down the dangerous path of ignoring the contribution of underlying medical illness. I can wholeheartedly recommend this excellent volume to all who practice psychotherapy whether a student, early career professional, or experienced clinician."<br /> —<b>Jeffrey J. Magnavita</b>, Ph.D., ABPP; Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology; Past President, Division of Psychotherapy, American Psychological Association; Member of the APA Clinical Treatment Guidelines Advisory Committee

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