Handbook of Emergency Psychiatry » (1st Edition)

This handbook is a practical, quick-reference guide to the evaluation and management of acute psychiatric symptoms seen in emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric and medical-surgical units. The book presents a step-by-step approach to each symptom, beginning with a list of questions necessary for initial assessment and proceeding to psychopharmacologic interventions, DSM-IV-TR criteria, differential diagnosis, and disposition guidelines. Additional chapters address safety concerns, the mental status examination, use of restraints and seclusion, child and elder abuse, and special needs of children, adolescents, geriatric patients, mentally retarded individuals, and patients with HIV. A chapter on legal and forensic issues is also included.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Raj Tummala, MD(Wyeth Pharmaceuticals)
Description:This book is a very easy to read and useful pocket reference that delivers vital information in the rapid evaluation, management and treatment of psychiatric disorders in an emergency setting. Key topics are organized alphabetically and the information is presented in easy to read tables and algorithms.
Purpose:Psychiatric emergencies are encountered in the emergency room, medical-surgical units, inpatient psychiatric units as well as many other hospital and office settings. Dr. Petit's very worthy effort presents the most common emergent psychiatric disorders in a quick reference that can be used rapidly when such emergencies are encountered.
Audience:This handbook is meant for everyone dealing with patients in an acute setting such as the emergency room, medical and surgical units as well as psychiatric settings. Psychiatrists, emergency room physicians, residents and other health care professionals dealing with psychiatric emergencies either in a medical or psychiatric setting will find this book a most useful reference.
Features:The table of contents lists the psychiatric disorders alphabetically for quick reference. In an emergency setting, this feature will be greatly appreciated. The author does an excellent job of presenting the various psychiatric emergencies with the medical and neurological differential diagnoses. The first two chapters, which cover the general assessment, mental status examination and safety considerations, provide a comprehensive review of necessary lab tests, imaging techniques and important clues that a clinician needs to be aware of in the assessment and diagnosis of psychiatric emergencies. Chapter 4 covers the most commonly seen psychiatric presentations. The format for each presentation is easy to read with an initial section that defines and details the most common signs and symptoms. This is followed by guidelines for management and treatment of these presentations. Information is presented in easy to find tables and algorithms. One of the main highlights of the book is the way the author details the management and treatment of each disorder by listing the most commonly used pharmacological interventions. The sections on Special Topics and Special Populations are particularly useful for the clinician and are well covered for easy reference. The book ends with appendixes that are pertinent to the emergency setting.
Assessment:This is a must reference book for anyone working in emergency settings of any sort. In a market full of reference books, this is the one that I will be carrying from now on.