DSM-IV Made Easy: The Clinician's Guide to Diagnosis » (1st Edition)

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.

Accessibly written and easy to use, this comprehensive book covers everything professionals and students need to know about DSM-IV. Following the same format as DSM-IV, the text presents every diagnosis. For each it includes case examples, a detailed analysis of each case, and a clear explanation of how to arrive at the diagnosis and how to rule out other possibilities. Essential for all mental health practitioners studying for their licensing exams, this hands-on resource will be valued by psychiatrists, residents, psychologists, marriage and family counselors, social workers, and anyone who needs to know about DSM-IV.

Sahana Misra

This book presents the information contained in the DSM-IV in a user-friendly way. The criteria for making diagnoses are clearly explained and are accompanied by clinical vignettes, chapter outlines, tips, and coding notes. The purpose is to make the DSM-IV easier to understand and more applicable for clinical use in all mental health professions. This book is primarily targeted at mental health professionals and psychiatry residents. However, because of its well-written and simplified text, it would make an excellent book for medical students during their psychiatry rotations and for other students in mental health fields. Each chapter begins with a quick guide that provides an outline of the diagnoses to be discussed. In this section, cross-references are provided for other diagnoses that may have similar symptoms. Interspersed within the text are valuable tips providing definitions to some vague terms used in the DSM-IV as well as interesting historical information. There are several clinical vignettes provided in each chapter that help to elucidate the diagnoses even further. This book provides a simplified and thorough explanation of the material presented in the DSM-IV. It is a useful source of information that can be used as a primary text for students and as a supplemental text for all mental health professionals. It also would be a practical addition to any health sciences library.