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In this informative and inspiring book the author narrates the stories of 12 patients whom he treated during their recovery from serious mental illness. These narratives reveal their common struggles: misdiagnosis, dual-diagnosis, impeded access to medication, medication-adherence issues, homelessness, employment/unemployment issues, and problems with governmental agencies. They also reveal some of the satisfactions of practicing outreach psychiatry: appreciating the patients' resilience, persistence, and talents, and the cooperation of outside service-providers, all of which promote recovery. Each patient's path is unique. Their successes remind us that schizophrenia, paranoia, bipolar illness, and substance abuse need not preclude a productive and satisfying life.
· Direct quotations from patients demonstrate their awareness of their problems and progress.
· Patients' acceptance promotes flexibility and creativity from their psychiatrist.
· Team members provide innovative and targeted support.
· The psychiatrist identifies aspects his interactions with these patients that contributed to his professional development.
· A unique feature is the documentation of patients' monthly progress for up to 6 years.
Though no one knows what initiates recovery, this book vividly describes how it does so. For psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers these are compelling stories of hope and a powerful call to consider outreach psychiatry.
List of contents
Introduction.-What is Recovery, and How Does it relate to Stability?.- What is Serious Mental Illness?.- Why We Need Outreach Psychiatry.- My Personal Career Trajectory.- The Pathways Model.- My View How these Patients Changed.- How these Narratives Emerged.- Confidentiality and Consent.- Reference List.- Gary N.- Pamela P.- Bernardo H.- Victoria N.- Richard G.- Maria C.- Alex A. - Seth S.- Donald M. - Carl Z. - Seema S. - Justin E.- Second Thoughts and Conclusions.- Conclusions.
Report
"Although written primarily for psychiatrists, this book may also prove useful and inspirational for patients with mental illness, trainees in the field, psychologists, case managers, social workers, family members of those with significant psychiatric problems, and anyone else whose life is intertwined with those who have severe mental illness. ... It is well written and well worth reading by any clinician -- rookie, novice, or seasoned provider." (Steven T. Herron, Doody's Book Reviews, September, 2016)
