Irish Journal Of Psychological Medicine

An "elegant", "engrossing" (Carol Tavris, Wall Street Journal) examination of what we think we know about the brain and why -- despite technological advances -- the workings of our most essential organ remain a mystery. "I cannot recommend this book strongly enough."--Henry Marsh, author of Do No Harm For thousands of years, thinkers and scientists have tried to understand what the brain does. Yet, despite the astonishing discoveries of science, we still have only the vaguest idea of how the brain works. In The Idea of the Brain, scientist and historian Matthew Cobb traces how our conception of the brain has evolved over the centuries. Although it might seem to be a story of ever-increasing knowledge of biology, Cobb shows how our ideas about the brain have been shaped by each era's most significant technologies. Today we might think the brain is like a supercomputer. In the past, it has been compared to a telegraph, a telephone exchange, or some kind of hydraulic system. What will we think the brain is like tomorrow, when new technology arises? The result is an essential read for anyone interested in the complex processes that drive science and the forces that have shaped our marvelous brains.

The workhouse was the most dreaded and feared institution in Ireland. The workhouse system of poor relief was imposed on the Irish people in spite of the opposition of Catholic and Protestant, landlord and labourer. Everyone predicted it would not work- and it did not work. During the famine years countless thousands died within the workhouse walls. Even more, denied admission, died outside. This book traces the workhouse system from its introduction to its phasing out. It makes an unique contribution to our understanding of the social history of Ireland. -- Publisher description.

For many years, the American Psychiatric Glossary has been the standard reference for psychiatrists, residents, psychiatric social workers, and other mental health professionals. Last published 8 years ago, it enjoyed unparalleled dominance in the mental health market. Now comes The Language of Mental Health: A Glossary of Psychiatric Terms, which is designed not only to replace its predecessor but also to improve upon its offerings and bring the content firmly into the twenty-first century. This comprehensive, user-friendly reference boasts an abundance of features, both time-tested and new, as follows: The number of Glossary definitions has been increased by 25%, and coverage has been expanded to include terms specific to newer psychiatric subspecialties, such as geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, and child and adolescent psychiatry. The section on "Medications Used in Psychiatry" is expanded and up to date. Medications are organized by drug class (e.g., antidepressants), subclass (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), trade name (e.g., Prozac), and generic name (e.g., fluoxetine). The section on "Psychiatric Measures" is robust and detailed. For example, the entry under "Neuropsychiatric Measures for Cognitive Disorders" lists nearly a dozen assessments, along with their acronyms or abbreviations. The section on "Mental Health Resources" includes vital descriptions and current contact information for dozens of organizations. The Web addresses are especially useful for those seeking immediate assistance or access to information. Although the reference maintains the level of theoretical, diagnostic, and therapeutic accuracy one would expect from a book for clinicians, it will also prove useful to advocacy groups, attorneys, and mental health patients and their families. Compact enough to slip into a pocket or briefcase, yet substantial enough to withstand frequent consultations and extended study, The Language of Mental Health is a worthy successor to the American Psychiatric Glossary and is the only reference of its caliber and completeness on the market.

An eye-opening, gripping and moving account of dealing with some of medicine's most complicated challenges As a trainee doctor, fascinated by the ways the brain and nervous system signal problems with the body's wiring, Niall Tubridy fell in love with neurology. This was high stakes detective work where answers could be life-changing. The young doctor who relished the intellectual puzzle soon became even more intrigued by the human stories behind each set of symptoms. And he found his own character tested. How do you handle such high pressure work - often with sad outcomes for patients - and remain grounded and positive? Can you? Just One More Question is the story of Niall Tubridy's life in neurology. It includes gripping accounts of his patients - encounters that are, by turn, moving, dramatic and funny - and using simple and illuminating language he explains well-known conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease. In addition, he reflects candidly on his life and the reasons he, a doctor's son, went into medicine and what he has learned about himself along the way. With great honesty, he scrutinizes his own actions and reactions so that Just One More Question becomes a brave exploration of the big question - how can I be a better doctor? Dr. Tubridy's book is an extraordinary and revealing insight into the human challenge of working in this most complex area of medicine.

Hearing Voices: The History of Psychiatry in Ireland is a monumental work by one of Ireland’s leading psychiatrists, encompassing every psychiatric development from the Middle Ages to the present day, and examining the far-reaching social and political effects of Ireland’s troubled relationship with mental illness. From the “Glen of Lunatics”, said to cure the mentally ill, to the overcrowded asylums of later centuries – with more beds for the mentally ill than any other country in the world – Ireland has a complex, unsettled history in the practice of psychiatry. Kelly’s definitive work examines Ireland’s unique relationship with conceptions of mental ill health throughout the centuries, delving into each medical breakthrough and every misuse of authority – both political and domestic – for those deemed to be mentally ill. Through fascinating archival records, Kelly writes a crisp and accessible history, evaluating everything from individual case histories to the seismic effects of the First World War, and exploring the attitudes that guided treatments, spanning Brehon Law to the emerging emphasis on human rights. Hearing Voices is a marvel that affords incredible insight into Ireland’s social and medical history while providing powerful observations on our current treatment of mental ill health in Ireland.

This book explores the law relating to the right to liberty of people with mental illness and international human rights standards. It is also a manifesto for change, urging reconsideration of the protection and promotion of the human rights of people with mental illness. Covers all UK jurisdictions plus Ireland.

In this fundamentally important work, Professor Brendan Kelly explores the background to Irish psychiatry in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, charting its progress and development. Using detailed case studies from the original records, the author examines some of the more unusual treatments explored and the history behind them. What emerges is a collection of piercing, untold stories of crime and illness, drama and tragedy. They are filled with a sense of the powerlessness of those detained and the dedicated – and sometimes misguided – enthusiasm of those trying to help. This book sheds important light on the foundations for the treatment of mental illness in Ireland.