Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Therapists of all backgrounds and orientations who treat the diagnostic process with the seriousness it deserves will want to have this book in their library. James Morrison has created a readable, non-jargonized, and long-overdue primer of medical conditions that have significant psychological symptoms. Both medical and nonmedical practitioners often need reminding that what looks like depression or anxiety may be secondary to a disease process. Morrison writes with clarity and wit, in a forthright style that respects both the reader and the subject matter. That such a concise and modest book can extend one's diagnostic range so far is a fine achievement." --Nancy McWilliams, PhD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University
"Everything you always needed to know about psychobiological interactions/m-/finally, in one convenient source." --Arnold A. Lazarus, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University. Author of Brief but Comprehensive Psychotherapy and coauthor of The 60-Second Shrink
"A lucidly written, clever, concise, and eminently usable work for mental health practitioners of all disciplines. Morrison's unique writing gifts and wry sense of humor engage the reader throughout. Clinicians will be sure to keep this comprehensive book well within arm's length of their desks." --Sidney Zisook, MD, University of California, San Diego
"As I'm coming to expect from James Morrison, When Psychological Problems Mask Medical Disorders is a lucidly written, clever, concise, and eminently usable work for mental health practitioners of all disciplines. Morrison's unique writing gifts and wry sense of humor engage the reader throughout. Comprehensive in scope, this user-friendly manuscript provides important pearls on 60 medical/neuropsychological that often are masked by psychological symptoms, and presents them in a manner that can be absorbed by even the most medically naive readers. Thus, Morrison's book is well worth owning, reading, reviewing, and referencing for not only psychiatrists and generalists, but also for counselors, social workers, nurse practitioners, psychologists and anyone else in the psychological healing business. Clinicians will be sure to keep it well within arm's length of their desks." --Sidney Zisook, MD, University of California, San Diego
"A much needed manual for therapists. Helps in diagnosing mental problems differentially." --Luis A. Escovar, Florida International University, Miami
Review
"James Morrison's book is a gem. He addresses common medical illnesses that produce psychological symptoms in a refreshing manner, making the book an excellent review text for fellow psychiatrists and nonphysician psychotherapists....His occasionally tongue-in-cheek style makes for pleasant readability without minimizing the importance of his message....Tables...are laid out in easily readable form and useful for quick cross-referencing....This is book worth its weight in gold: it is eminently readable and can save some lives and bring improvement to many others."--Journal of the American Medical Association (on the first edition)
Review
"At once a primer on the collaboration of psychotherapist and physician and a useful reference book for this purpose. Although it is intended for psychotherapists with limited medical training, it may also be useful to primary care physicians and other medical clinicians who may be the first contact for patients who present with psychiatric symptoms." --Psychiatric Services (on the first edition)
Review
"Although most therapists are not medical specialists, we do not treat disembodied persons. Morrison alerts us to the most common mental symptoms that might be due to physical disorders, and heightens our diagnostic acumen. His efficient presentation, using both narrative and tables, can alert us to problems we might not have asked about and make treatment more comprehensive and effective. This updated second edition--written in the intelligent, experienced, and modest voice we have come to expect from Morrison--is a foundational resource for all therapists."--Edward L. Zuckerman, PhD, author of
Clinician's ThesaurusReview
"This factual, current, and well-written guide is necessary reading for all clinicians who desire to sharpen their diagnostic skills. Morrison addresses the problems presented by psychiatric patients who may suffer from medical disorders, helping the clinician make sense of symptom presentations that are often confusing and on occasion mysterious and baffling. With tables, lists, and detailed explanations, this book establishes order and method in the examination of the complex patient. This second edition carries on the quality of the first, but is greatly enhanced by more information, new insights and clinical revelations, and a pragmatic interpretation of the latest findings."--Rodrigo A. Muñoz, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
“The ability to differentiate medical and psychological sources of psychological symptoms is a core competency in case formulation and treatment planning. Morrison's succinct book helps clinicians with this critical task better than any other. The book is cross-indexed so information is rapidly available. It is replete with case examples and interesting historical references, and benefits from Morrison's wit and humor. An outstanding contribution.”--Tracy D. Eells, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville
"The second edition of this authoritative work covers a topic that is far too often ignored in the training and practice of mental health practitioners. The book is comprehensive, well organized, and easy to read. Morrison’s engaging style and inclusion of numerous summary tables make the book particularly accessible. This is an essential resource that should be on every clinician’s bookshelf or e-reader."--Martin M. Antony, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Canada
"I used the first edition for many years to train doctoral students in clinical psychology, and found it to greatly enhance their training. I have no doubt that the second edition also will be extremely popular among students. The text is compelling and easy to read. It helps students and busy professionals quickly explore alternative diagnoses to avoid misdiagnosing medical disorders as psychological illnesses."--Leslie A. Robinson, PhD, Director, Clinical Health Track; Director, Center for Health Promotion and Evaluation, Department of Psychology, University of Memphis
"Although most therapists are not medical specialists, we do not treat disembodied persons. Morrison alerts us to the most common mental symptoms that might be due to physical disorders, and heightens our diagnostic acumen. His efficient presentation, using both narrative and tables, can alert us to problems we might not have asked about and make treatment more comprehensive and effective. This updated second edition--written in the intelligent, experienced, and modest voice we have come to expect from Morrison--is a foundational resource for all therapists."--Edward L. Zuckerman, PhD, author of Clinician's Thesaurus
Synopsis
From decreased alertness and apathy to agitation, suspicion, and hallucinations, a wide range of psychological symptoms may sometimes point toward serious medical disorders. Helping clinicians "think outside the mental health box," James Morrison provides a clear and systematic guide to the effects upon mental status of 60 health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke. This practical book will help readers hone their diagnostic skills and recognize when a physician's evaluation may be urgently needed.
Synopsis
Widely regarded as a standard clinical resource, this book helps practitioners think outside the mental health box and recognize when a client may need a medical evaluation. Part I provides an accessible overview of symptoms that can be observed in a standard mental status examination and may point to medical illness. Engaging case vignettes and interviewing pointers help readers hone their diagnostic skills. Part II presents concise facts--including basic medical information and physical and mental symptoms--on more than 60 diseases and syndromes. An easy-to-read chart in Part III cross-tabulates all of the disorders and symptoms for quick reference and comparison.
New to This Edition
*Reflects more than 15 years of advances in medical and mental health knowledge.
*Updated throughout for DSM-5.
*Additional medical disorders: celiac disease, traumatic brain injury, heavy-metal toxicity, and others.
*Updated links to further reading on each health condition.
About the Author
James Morrison, MD, is Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. With his acclaimed practical books--including, most recently, DSM-5 Made Easy;Diagnosis Made Easier, Second Edition; and The First Interview, Fourth Edition--Dr. Morrison has guided hundreds of thousands of mental health professionals and students through the complexities of clinical evaluation and diagnosis.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. A Review of Symptoms
The Need for Evaluation
Observing the Mental Status
Appearance and Behavior
Mood (Affect)
Speech
Content of Thought
Intellectual Resources
Insight and Judgment
Personality Change
Diagnostic Principles
II. 66 Disorders
Adrenal Insufficiency
AIDS
Altitude Sickness
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Antidiuretic Hormone, Inappropriate Secretion
Brain Abscess
Brain Tumor
Cancer
Carcinoid Syndrome
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Celiac Disease
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Congestive Heart Failure
Cryptococcosis
Cushing's Syndrome
Diabetes Mellitus
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Heavy-Metal Toxicity
Herpes Encephalitis
Homocystinuria
Huntington's Disease
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypertensive Encephalopathy
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Kidney Failure
Klinefelter's Syndrome
Liver Failure
Lyme Disease
Ménière's Syndrome
Menopause
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
Migraine
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Multiple Sclerosis
Myasthenia Gravis
Neurocutaneous Disorders
Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus
Parasitism
Parkinson's Disease
Pellagra
Pernicious Anemia
Pheochromocytoma
Pneumonia
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Porphyria
Postoperative Delirium
Premenstrual Syndrome
Prion Disease
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Protein Energy Malnutrition
Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sensory Deficit
Sickle-Cell Disease
Sleep Apnea
Substance Intoxication and Withdrawal
Syphilis
Systemic Infection
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Thiamine Deficiency
Traumatic Brain Injury
Wilson's Disease
III. Symptom Summaries