Making the Connection Between Brain and Behavior: Coping with Parkinson's Disease by Joseph H. Friedman

From the Publisher

When people think about Parkinson's disease they usually picture tremor, shuffling, and other physical changes. But as many as 90% of all Parkinson's patients also live with behavioral symptoms, which few families are prepared to handle. If you or your loved one have PD and are experiencing depression, anxiety, hallucinations, disrupted sleep, or other unexplained behavioral changes, you need Making the Connection Between Brain and Behavior. Written by Dr. Joseph H. Friedman, a leading expert on Parkinson's, this is the only book that focuses entirely on the behavioral changes associated with PD that create the most stressful problems for loved ones and family members. The self-contained chapters will help you understand and cope with these issues, as well as provide guidance on ways to communicate with your healthcare team.

About the Author:
Joseph H. Friedman, MD, is Clinical Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Lisa M. Shulman, MD (University of Maryland School of Medicine)
Description:The last 15 years have been characterized by escalating interest and research in the so-called "nonmotor" symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Nonmotor symptoms including depression, sleep disturbance, and cognitive problems previously took a back seat to the well known motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as bradykinesia, gait impairment, and tremor. This book, written by a well known expert and researcher on nonmotor symptoms, is evidence of the rising prominence of psychiatric and behavioral issues among patients and physicians.
Purpose:The purpose is to educate patients and family members about the relationship between Parkinson's disease and behavior. These important objectives are achieved.
Audience:The book is written for lay readers, primarily people with Parkinson's disease and their families.
Features:The author, Dr. Joseph Friedman, has a pleasing, conversational writing style and he communicates complex medical issues with ease. Patient vignettes, examples, and tables are used effectively to illuminate the material and improve understanding. Dr. Friedman distills complicated and controversial medical issues into easily digestible discussions. He is the rare physician who is able to put himself in the patient's shoes, with discussions of common concerns that hit just the right tone. Another successful strategy is a brief paragraph at the beginning of each chapter, summarizing each topic. It is fair to say that the narrow focus of a book on behavioral issues is not for everyone. The average reader is likely to belooking for a book that gives the big picture, and most general books on Parkinson's disease include chapters with good discussions of behavioral issues. At times, long wordy passages are devoted to relatively narrow topics such as the "Parkinson's personality." Unfamiliar medical terminology, such as "clinical fluctuations" or "deep brain stimulation," slip into the text, sending most readers to the glossary, where some, but not all of these uncommon phrases will be found. Some chapters, such as those on driving, caregivers and family, and "Why You Should Not Go to the Emergency Department" are important, but quite a stretch from the book's subject of brain and behavior.
Assessment:Nonetheless, if you have special interest in the interactions between Parkinson's disease and behavior, you will enjoy this book. Dr. Friedman reveals to readers how doctors think in an enjoyable and easy to understand format.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents