Psychopathology Of Rare And Unusual Syndromes

"This book focuses on psychiatric phenomena that are typically regarded as rare and unusual. These phenomena include the delusional misidentification syndromes, various abnormalities of perception such as Charles Bonnet syndrome, multimodal perceptual experiences such as synaesthesia, abnormalities of the self such as autoscopy and abnormalities of experience of the body such as Côtard syndrome. These phenomena, sometimes termed syndromes, are of great theoretical and conceptual interest to psychiatrists precisely because they are often discrete abnormalities that transcend diagnostic categories but yet allow for the opportunity to carefully examine and elucidate fundamental aspects of abnormal phenomena"--

Many fascinating and important psychological disorders are either omitted from our current diagnostic systems or rarely covered during graduate or medical training. As a result, most mental health students and trainees are never taught to identify, diagnose, or treat them. This lack of attention has real-world consequences not only for patients, but for basic science as well. Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders collects and synthesizes the scientific and clinical literatures for 21 lesser-known conditions. The coverage is broad, ranging from exploding head syndrome and koro to body integrity identity disorder and persistent genital arousal disorder. All chapters follow a uniform structure and introduce each disorder with a vivid clinical vignette. After discussing the historical and cultural contexts for the disorder, authors describe the typical symptoms, associated features, current role in diagnostic systems (if any), and etiologies. Clinically relevant information on assessment and differential diagnosis is also provided. Finally, authors review the treatment options and suggest future directions for research. This unique and engaging volume will not only be a useful resource for researchers and clinicians who already possess expertise in the more well-known manifestations of psychopathology, but it will also be of interest to students and trainees in the mental health professions.

An innovative and detailed account of rare and unusual psychiatric syndromes, primarily for psychiatrists and researchers.

This book explores the historical background to, and present-day understanding of, a number of unusual psychiatric disorders. This fully revised new edition contains a new chapter on a range of recently emerging conditions as well as updated literature and a collection of new and updated cases. Since the publication of the fourth edition, there have been many developments in the field of psychiatry, including changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the advancement of neuroimaging and related research, which have been incorporated into the fifth edition. In this now classic text, each chapter covers an individual disorder in detail, using several case studies gathered by the authors themselves to illustrate and exemplify the disorders discussed. The clear and easy-to-understand writing style ensures that this text is accessible for the wide range of studies and professions who will find it useful. Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes, Fifth Edition, is essential reading for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric social workers, social workers and other mental health professionals. It will also be of interest to graduate students in the fields of psychiatry and psychology as well as those enrolled in psychiatry resident courses.

Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes presents an up-to-date, definitive account of eleven unusual but important clinical disorders. For each syndrome the historical background and present day understanding are given and the worldwide literature is reviewed. Each account gives the principal features of the condition, its causation and underlying psychopathology, illustrative cases and notes on diagnosis and treatment. The fourth edition has been fully updated to include the latest information on causation and treatment and especially the significance of neurodiagnostic findings. The book will be both a practical reference and a fascinating read for all those involved in psychiatry, neurosciences and mental health.

When Explorations in Criminal Psychopathology: Clinical Syndromes With Forensic Implications was first published in 1996, the purpose was, in part, to correct an imbalance in the field, specifically with regard to the coverage of the important topic of psychopathology and its relationship to crime. The second edition of this book continues to address the complex approach to this very specific and important aspect of human behavior. Emphasizing on psychopathology from a clinical phenomenological perspective, with legal issues and implications playing a secondary role, an impressive group of contributors explores various disorders that have significant forensic implications. Each deals with a specific disorder or pathological process in terms of its potential relevance to criminal forensic practice. Updated and expanded articles approach these complexities largely from a psychodynamic perspective that also addresses the biological, psychological and environmental aspects of behavior. The book is divided into three parts: Part I includes five different types of psychopathology that lead to distinct overt types of behavior. Part II provides discussions of various disorders of thought resulting in criminal conduct, but not disordered thinking indicative of a formal thought disorder per se. Part III concerns borderline and psychotic-like conditions as well as malingering and deception, which are important topics in forensic practice. This book meets a need in scientific literature as a significant resource for clinicians that are confronted with rare, unusual, or novel disorders whose potential implications have been less well studied and are therefore less apparent and familiar.

Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes presents an up-to-date definitive account of eleven unusual but important clinical disorders that have significant legal and social implications. For each syndrome the historical background and present day understanding are given and the worldwide literature is reviewed. Each account gives the principal features of the condition, its causation and underlying psychopathology, illustrative cases and notes on diagnosis and treatment. These syndromes include: De Clerambault's syndrome, associated with stalking; The Othello syndrome (morbid jealousy); Munchausen's syndrome (simulated but plausible illness) and possession states. The fourth edition of this classic and unique text has been fully updated to include the latest information regarding causation and treatment, and especially the significance of neurodiagnostic findings. In addition, forensic aspects are now highlighted. All psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and allied mental health workers will find this an essential volume for reference as well as a fascinating 'read'.