Concise Guide to Psychiatry for Primary Care Practitioners

Because of reluctance to acknowledge a behavioral or psychiatric problem or a fear of social stigmatization, many patients with mental illness are likely to seek treatment from primary care practitioners rather than psychiatrists. Especially now with managed care requirements, the primary care practitioner is called upon to competently screen and possibly manage mental illnesses in patients before refering to a psychiatrist. Concise Guide to Psychiatry for Primary Care Practitioners is designed as a quick reference to help primary care practitioners to better understand, diagnose, and initially manage mental illnesses. This easy-to-read manual represents the collaborative efforts of 17 experienced psychiatrists from a variety of specialties. Specifically, it covers: A practical approach to screening and managing patients with psychiatric disorders The most recent developments in psychopharmacology and lists recommended dosages for medicationsGeneral guidelines for treatment of many psychiatric disorders Recommendations on when to refer patients to psychiatrists Conditions likely to be encountered in the primary care setting including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, cognitive disorders, somatoform disorders, psychotic disorders, sexual disorders, sleep disorders, and eating disorders Effective strategies in treating patients that can be difficult to manage and provides guidance for primary care physicians in anticipating and preventing both suicide and violence With more than 50 supplemental tables containing helpful summaries of diagnostic criteria, medications, and management techniques, this user-friendly guide is a practical on-the-job reference.