Authors: Justin M. Simpson and Glendon L. Moriarty
Publisher: Columbia University Press – 209 pages
Book Review by: Laxmi Chaandi
More than 18 million people in the United States – about six percent of the 2010 population of around 308 million – have some form of severe mental illness. Among those 18 years or older, about 14 million are severely mentally ill. (US Census Bureau, 2011a). These numbers cited by the authors of this book are staggering, but the case studies they discuss will make you shake your head at the least, or cry.
If you are a psychiatrist or someone qualified to treat patients with several mental illness to avoid unnecessary hospitalization, this book can provide you with the necessary tools and guidance to respond to crisis and deliver acute care.
This book provides helpful diagrams, real-word examples, and even printable, actionable sheets to deal with those suffering from:
- anxiety of a severe nature
- bipolar disorder
- major depressive disorder
- panic disorder
- post traumatic stress disorder
- schizoaffective disorder
- schizophrenia
- substance dependence.
- suicide / self harm tendency
This is also a useful guide on mental illness for family members of people with the above-mentioned or similar conditions and disorders, as it is has been written in clear, easy-to-understand language with very few technical terms.
The ten chapters of this book cover some of the more prevalent mental illnesses and conditions; what “hospital diversion” programs do and why (essentially divert people from hospitalization, especially a prolonged one); and the available types of care and treatments, their effectiveness as well as the challenges they pose.
Here is a brief capsule of what you will find in this book:
- Hospital Diversion Programs
- Integrative and Multimodal Treatment
- Severe Mental Illness Treatment Literature: An Overview
- Multimodal Acute Care
- Fundamental Tools and Techniques
- Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
- Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder
- PTSD and Panic Disorder
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Important Treatment Considerations
Justin M. Simpson is a licensed psychologist who has spent a significant part of his career providing services within hospital diversion programs. He has a private clinical practice in White Plains, New York where he provides psychotherapy and psychological assessment to patients in Westchester County and New York City. He also works for the Mental Health Association of Westchester as the coordinator of a multi-disciplinary assessment center. He is a member of the American Psychological Association.
Glendon L. Moriarty is a licensed psychologist and Professor in the School of Psychology and Counseling in Regent University. He is the author of Pastoral Care of Depression: Helping Clients Heal Their Relationship with God, lead editor of The God Image Handbook for Spiritual Counseling and Psychotherapy, and editor of Integrating Faith and Psychology. He has received the Leadership Award, Fellowship Award, and Distinguished Young Alumni Award and is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies.
