10 books of Psychiatry for doctors, psychologists and therapists
Devouring a great book is, without a doubt, an experience that can mark us for the rest of our lives , because there are texts that bring us great knowledge as well as entertain us.
Obviously there are works that contain more commercial value than anything else, but there are volumes that enrich our experience as human beings and influence thousands of people for their incalculable usefulness.
The best books on psychiatry and mental health
Aware of this, We have dedicated our time to compiling a list of the best books of psychiatry for mental health professionals. If you are a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist you can enjoy these texts and, at the same time, learn about your profession. Do not miss them!
1. Personality disorders in modern life (Theodore Milton and Roger Davis)
A fascinating text that was published in 2001. "Personality Disorders in Modern Life" is a very well written book that treats personality disorders from a current perspective. Covers various psychopathologies such as, for example, antisocial disorder, defiant negativist disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), histrionic personality disorder, narcissism, schizoid disorder or paranoid disorder.
The author deals with mental problems from different perspectives: biological, interpersonal or cognitive, among others.
- You can buy the book here.
2. Practical manual of forensic psychiatry (J. Checa González)
This work is a reference manual for both legal professionals and psychiatry . It is a quick reference guide and information on any topic related to this discipline, and, as a complement, this book offers access to an online platform where it is possible to find 15 clinical cases, as well as a battery with about 100 self-assessment questions and various models of forensic medical records and reports.
The website that this work offers is an interactive space for discussion and exchange of knowledge among all the readers of the work that ensures the updating of contents in forensic psychiatry material.
- You can buy it through this link.
3. Anatomy of an epidemic (Robert Whitaker)
"Anatomy of an epidemic" is a very interesting book. The author asks. Why has the number of mentally ill people in the United States tripled in the last two decades? Sometimes, Whitaker appears as an anti-psychiatrist, criticizing some practices that are carried out in this discipline. To be a good professional in this field it is necessary to read and understand the controversy that may exist around psychiatry.
For example, if the use of psychotropic drugs is excessive or not. Do you dare to delve into these pages and reflect deeply?
- More information and purchase option in this link.
4. The Trouble Psychiatry (Daniel Carlat)
The book "Unhinged: The Trouble Psychiatry" by Daniel Carlat addresses various controversial issues in the field of psychiatry . For example, the use of DSM, excessive dependence on psychotropic drugs, and how the power of the pharmaceutical industry influences the use of psychoactive substances in psychiatric practice.
It is a short book but at the same time fascinating, because it brings to light the different themes that have generated debate in recent years and, in addition, offers creative solutions to these problems. It's only available in English.
- All the information here.
5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
The DSM is also known as the "bible of psychiatry" , and it is the tool for classifying mental disorders with greater acceptance, both for clinical diagnosis and for research and teaching in this field. It is used in the clinical and psychiatric field, but this guide must be accompanied by clinical judgment in addition to the professional knowledge and ethical criteria necessary for good professional practice.
In short, the DSM provides a common language among different mental health professionals (psychiatrists and clinical psychologists) who are dedicated to the treatment of mental disorders and help ensure an accurate and consistent diagnosis.
- You can easily buy it on this link.
6. The psychiatric interview in clinical practice (Roger Mackinnon)
The clinical interview in psychiatry is a qualitative technique of collecting information in which the therapist or psychiatrist and his patient (in his case, also the relatives) participate, and is the main instrument in psychiatric practice , because unlike, for example, the medical interview, which is usually the introduction before the physical examination or the complementary tests, the clinical interview in psychiatry is essential for the establishment of an adequate interpersonal relationship, which will favor the obtaining of reliable information and allow to establish a correct diagnosis.
- Recommended article: "The different types of interviews and their characteristics"
Likewise, the psychotherapeutic intervention is carried out within the framework of the clinical interview, whether offering psychological or psychopharmacological therapy. The manual "The clinical interview" by Ekkehard and Sieglinde Othmer is, without a doubt, a great text that will give you knowledge about this practice and will facilitate learning with good examples exposed in a clear and detailed manner.
- You can buy it here.
7. Are we all mentally ill? (Allen Frances)
The author of this book, Allen Frances, was one of those responsible for developing the latest editions of the DSM manual. In his work, he reviews the history of DSM (and its participation in the elaboration) and critically analyzes some DSM-V aspects. Discuss the criteria that decide what is normal and what is pathological and review some fashion disorders in the past (for example, borderline personality disorder), in addition to giving their opinion on the different psychopathological approaches of the present as autistic spectrum disorder.
It is an interesting text written with a pleasant language. Especially designed for those who want a first contact with the world of psychiatry.
- Buy it here
8. Treat the mind or treat the brain? Towards an integration between psychotherapies and psychoactive drugs (Julio Sanjuán)
If what you're looking for is an introductory book on psychiatry , you can not miss "Treat the mind or treat the brain? Towards an integration between psychotherapies and psychotropic drugs ". Written in a pleasant but rigorous and updated way, it is a text of 350 pages of reading and reading. Therefore, if you are interested in this discipline, you must add it to your list of essentials.
Are you more interested in introducing yourself to psychology than to psychiatry? Then I recommend the book "Psychologically speaking." You can buy it in this link.- Buy the work of Julio Sanjuán in this link.
9. Atypical or transitory psychoses from epistemology to treatment (Luis Jesús Fernández, Germán Berrios and Blanca Yániz)
Psychotic disorders are serious mental pathologies in which the person loses contact with reality. The most characteristic symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. Its treatment combines psychotherapy with the administration of antipsychotic drugs.
- Maybe you're interested: "The 8 types of Psychotic Disorders"
This text collects the results of the first edition of the course on atypical or transitory psychoses that took place in the UNED, and provides very valuable knowledge for professionals in psychiatry and mental health.
- You can buy it here.
10. Memory disorders in psychiatric practice (German E. Barrios and John R. Hodges)
A suggestive text and reference in clinical practice related to memory disorders. In the first chapters the book reviews the historical and neurobiological foundations of memory and, in general, gives an interesting contribution to both professionals in psychiatry and neuropsychology.
- Recommended text: "Types of memory: how memory stores the human brain?"
Although for many the problem of memory is the exclusive competence of neuropsychologists, this text is a psychiatric approach to various pathologies associated with memory. Surely it will surprise you!
