Rewritten to incorporate the new criteria, THE FIRST INTERVIEW: REVISED FOR DSM-IV updates a text that is rapidly becoming a standard in the field. This timely, accessible volume covers a broad range of personalities and problems typically encountered in the first interview, offering fresh insight on how to elicit key diagnostic details from even the most challenging patient. Completely up to date, all references to DSM-III-R have been revised, and outlines of the most common diagnoses have been rewritten in accordance with the new criteria. THE FIRST INTERVIEW specifies what you need to ask, and how best to frame your questions. Presented in a conversational, forthright style, these techniques are further brought to life by illustrative clinical vignettes.
The author takes you through each stage of an interview, demonstrating how to derive maximum information while establishing and maintaining trust and rapport. Effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills are emphasized, with techniques provided to help draw out feelings and determine symptoms, mental status, family background, personal strengths, and vulnerabilities such as a history of violence or childhood abuse.
The volume concludes with a detailed discussion of how clinicians can most effectively present findings and recommendations to patients and their families in a manner that offers information with a sense of trust and hope. Clinically useful appendices include a sample interview and written report, DSM-IV diagnoses in abbreviated form for easy reference, standards for scoring the initial interview, and a list of recommended readings.
For the seasoned clinician, this new edition of THE FIRST INTERVIEW provides updated DSM-IV criteria, a refresher course on the initial interview, and alternative approaches for interviewing difficult patients. It is also an ideal introductory text for students in psychology, psychiatry, social work, pastoral counseling, medicine, and nursing.

Designed for students in all mental health disciplines and for professionals who wish to hone their skills, this user-friendly, jargon-free text clearly shows how to conduct a successful diagnostic interview. The book covers a broad range of personalities and problems, offering fresh insight on how to elicit key information from even the most challenging patient. Focusing on both content and process, it details what should be asked and describes the best methods for posing clinical questions. Many illustrative clinical vignettes enliven the presentation throughout. Appendixes feature a sample interview and written report, abbreviated DSM-IV diagnoses for easy reference, and more.

bio revised for reprint, 9/02:

James Morrison, MD, was educated at Reed College and obtained his medical and psychiatric training at Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He is the author or coauthor of such acclaimed professional resources as [i]DSM-IV Made Easy[/i], [i]When Psychological Problems Mask Medical Disorders[/i], and [i]Interviewing Children and Adolescents[/i], as well as [i]Straight Talk about Your Mental Health[/i], a guide for consumers considering mental health treatment.

James Morrison, MD, was educated at Reed College and obtained his medical and psychiatric training at Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is the author of The First Interview, DSM-IV Made Easy, and When Psychological Problems Mask Medical Disorders, and coauthor (with Thomas F. Anders) of Interviewing Children and Adolescents.