Comprehensive Textbook of AIDS Psychiatry by Mary Ann Cohen (Editor), Jack M. Gorman (Editor)

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Synopsis

Among the vast and rapidly growing field of AIDS research, there is an ample body of evidence supporting the fact that psychiatric treatment can decrease transmission, diminish suffering, improve adherence, and decrease morbidity and mortality. There is probably no other illness in which the connections between mind and body are so inextricably woven. But until now there has been no comprehensive textbook of AIDS psychiatry to guide clinicians towards providing much needed care. Using a biopsychosocial approach, this 41-chapter volume offers insight into the interface between the psychiatric, medical, and social dimensions of HIV and AIDS. Drawing on clinical experience as well as evidence-based medicine, this textbook provides a basic understanding of the comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions that cause distress, morbidity, and mortality in persons with HIV and AIDS, while at the same time examining the epidemic from the viewpoints of public health and public policy experts.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Raj Tummala, MD (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals)
Description:This is a thorough overview of HIV with an emphasis on the psychiatric presentation and management, set in a global psychosocial context.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide a comprehensive review of HIV/AIDS psychiatry encompassing all facets of AIDS based on a psychiatric context.
Audience:This book is targeted towards primarily clinicians, residents, students, and anyone dealing with HIV/AIDS patients.
Features:This is the first major overview of HIV/AIDS psychiatry edited and written by experts in the field. The book is divided into 10 comprehensive sections covering history/epidemiology, psychiatric disorders, neuropathology, psychosocial issues, and health policy. By employing a biopsychosocial approach to the presentation, the authors view AIDS from different models that are unique but also complementary in patient management. The first section on relevance and implications in AIDS psychiatry also covers psychoneuroimmunology and sociocultural factors influencing transmission along with case vignettes that highlight the history of AIDS. Comprehensive assessment/consultation methods based on a psychosocial approach and neuropsychological evaluations are provided. Experts in the areas cover the most common psychiatric disorders and manifestations associated with HIV infection in detail. Unique manifestations of insomnia, fatigue, and suicide are detailed to highlight the importance of these in HIV patients. Clinical information is evidence-based, along with the experiences of the authors. All information is cross-referenced from an extensive referencesection. Information is also augmented by graphs, tables, and charts. Of special mention are the chapters on risk behaviors, adherence, and AIDS through the life cycle. The section on comorbid medical conditions is a nice review of all major infections and comorbidities that have an impact on the psychiatric state of the patient.
Assessment:This is truly a comprehensive overview of all of the major topics that are important in the psychiatric treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.

Biography

Dr. Mary Ann Cohen has been a physician for 40 years and has devoted 34 years to the psychological care of the medically ill in the field of psychosomatic medicine. During those years, she has demonstrated her dedication to teaching clinical excellence and providing compassionate care to persons with medical and psychiatric illness and has helped to create health care environments that meet patients' needs and combat discrimination and stigma in the care of persons with medical and mental illness. Board certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, Dr. Cohen has devoted the last quarter century of her professional life to the integrated care of an underserved population of persons with HIV and AIDS and has done so with optimism and dignity.