Customer Reviews (1)

Controlling Your Impulsive Acts
The purpose of this review of Christine Adamec's "Impulse Control Disorders" is to present an outline to potential readers so readers can gain enough knowledge to determine whether to invest their time and money into purchasing and reading the book. The aim of the book is to allow readers with little or no knowledge of impulse control disorders to gain information on the topic to help recognize symptoms and the biological and psychological process behind them. The book presented the signs/symptoms, causes, risks and characteristics of people with specific impulse control disorders. The author splits the book into five disorder examples and then gives broad ideas of psychological problems that could occur and treatments available.

"Pathological Gambling"
This section emphasizes the fact that loosing thousands of dollars will not cause the gamble to stop gambling as they thing the second time is the charm, and then the third, fourth and so on. Those that are hooked on gambling love to feel the rush of the game. The author states an interesting fact that males are four times more likely to be a pathological gambler than females and provides studies to explain. The studies presented found that the gender of the gambler has an effect on their psychological outcome, whether it is depression, alcoholism or violent behavior. As a student in a neuroscience class, I was very interested in the part of the brain known to cause this behavior. Damage of the frontal lobe has been thought as the cause of impulse control disorders and could result in the inability to stop the behavior. The author goes on the give some examples of excuses gamblers use to justify their behavior including saying phrases like "You only live once and you might as well enjoy it! Gambling makes me happy" (17).

"Intermittent Explosive Disorder"
This disorder involves "out-of-control rage" in which the rage builds up in a person's body causing them to `explode' in a violent manner in only a matter of a few minutes. Many times the rage build up starts over what may seem minimal to a `normal person.' This part does a good job of highlighting studies on the effect of this disorder on road rage and signs including physical violence and property damage.

"Pyromania"
This component discusses the fascination some people have with fires and burning and their compulsion to start fires without harming anyone. Pyromaniacs say they have a feeling of tension that is immediately released by setting the fire. The author makes the extinction between pyromaniacs and arsonists, those who do want to cause harm. I was intrigued by the incorporated study that highlighted that "the strongest associations with being a fire setter involved the triple combination of moderate-to-high shyness, aggressiveness, and peer rejection" (32). Adamec excellently explains the theories associated with the causes of pyromania ranging from opportunity theory (child has easy access to fire) to social acceptance theory (fire will help child gain peer acceptance).

"Trichotillomania"
This is a behavior of hair pulling that can lead to depression or anxiety. The author cover s the way people pull out hair, the length of time spent pulling, and when/where it takes place. She goes on to describe the two types of hair pulling, focus and nonfocused. Trichotillomania can lead to medical effects, lack of physical activity and career problems. Conditions and syndromes resulting from this disorder are later mentioned. The only problem I had with this section of the book was the lack of explanation of the biological aspect of why trichotillomania occurs.

"Kleptomania"
This is an impulse control disorder characterized by the urge to steal. Surprising to me, this is the first disorder mentioned that effects females more than males. Adamec mentions research on the triggers and the ways people try to resist stealing. I loved the discussion on the influence of serotonin and antidepressant medications on kleptomania and on other impulse control disorders. The explanation of both the biological and psychological theories behind this disorder was helpful in understanding the causes of kleptomania. The inclusion of a table at the end of the section helps the reader visualize the differences between `regular thieves' and kleptomaniacs.

After detailed descriptions of some of the impulse control disorders, Adamec delves into the link between these disorders and other behavioral disorders, like depression, bipolar tendencies and anxiety. She also makes a connection between substance abuse and the disorders explained earlier.

As a final note, Adamec emphasizes the need for treatment of these disorders. She introduces types of therapy to change ways of thinking from "I must do this" to "I don't have to do this" (65). This book provides great detail on therapy and medication to stop the disorder. I really appreciated the inclusion of future studies as a closer to the book. Adamec highlights what researchers are doing for the future to further help impulse control disorder patients.

I believe that this book is an appealing, well written explanation of the symptoms, risks and biological theories behind the life altering impulse control disorders. Adamec supports her statements with many studies that aids in the understanding of these psychological and neurological disorders. Not only can readers learn about the disorders mentioned above, but they can also relate it to well known disorders like ADHD, which Adamec speaks of under the treatment section. This shows that writing about these disorders can help people recognize problems met in everyday life and receive the proper help and treatment.

Overall, I would recommend this book for those looking for a brief introduction on impulse control disorders. If the potential reader is attempting to gain in depth knowledge of a specific impulse control disorder, he should not choose this book. This book does explain some of the well known disorders and does a good job at touching on the basic information of each. A benefit of this book is the layout. The style, with the inclusion of pictures and tables, encourages the reader to keep reading and keeps the reader drawn to the book. Adamec uses stories of people with the respective disorder at the beginning of each section which is, in my opinion, a great way to hook the reader from the onset. The structure of the book is similar to a textbook, but much better structured as it was interesting and flowed well. What I much liked was a person not an expert in psychological issues can well understand the topics introduced in this book and after reading, can discuss basic terminologies with others.
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Product Description
Univ. of Albany, NY. Discusses the perspectives of the authors on the assessment and treatment of survivors of serious motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Includes more than 10 years of research and offers integration of MVA posttraumatic stress disorder epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment principles. For professionals in medicine, legal, and psychology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Essential for academics - useful for clinicians -you might want to start in the middle
I don't have my copy of "After the Crash" in hand but since I regard it as the most complete book on the topic and regularly treat MVA PTSD patients, I believe I can review it nonetheless. Blanchard and Hickling are the most experienced researchers in the area of MVA PTSD.

It is possible to overlook the chapters that are most relevant to actually doing therapy, if the dense research chapters at the start are too off-putting. Reading the last half FIRST helped me maintain a mind-set that kept the first half from being too intimidating.

The authors have data covering very significant longitudinal follow up of accident survivors - both those identified as "at risk" based on needing medical treatment for accidents and people seeking treatment for psychological symptoms.

The book DOES have a huge amount of research findings to begin with.There is little in the first 350 pages that is a lot different from the 1997 edition. However, there are some very important findings relevant to clinical practice - one is a fairly rigorous analysis of what the risk factors are for developing PTSD and SUBSYNDROMAL PTSD symptoms following accidents.The authors always discuss their findings in the context of what other researchers have found and suggest possible explanations for different findings.

Another is a very thorough discussion of MVAs and PTSD MALINGERING. Blanchard and Hickling experimentally challenged their assessment procedures with trained MVA PTSD simulators to find out which of their assessments distinguished real patients from people likely to be the best malingerers possible.

What IS a significant change from the 1997 edition is the fairly comprehensive research on clinical treatment. The authors did NOT do the typical, develop a treatment protocol and compare to wait list research. What they DID was run two parallel treatment protocols with supportive treatment as one modality (the supportive treatment condition seems to match fairly well what many or sadly MOST patients are likely to get with little emphasis on targeting specific trauma symptoms and a lot of dependence on the power of strengthening coping skills in general and on the therapeutic relationship). The other treatment condition was a targeted Cognitive Behavioral protocol which they compared both to no treatment and to what is likely to be usual care.

Blanchard and Hickling DO provide a brief description of their treatment protocols and manual - this is less detailed than might be wished but sufficient to assist a therapist who regularly uses CBT in modifying her/his approach.

This volume is written with the scientist-PRACTITIONER in mind. The treatment protocol was NOT a lockstep curriculum that ignored the differing needs of different patients and they DO include "clinical hints" to make it as useful as possible to non-research clinicians.

They give a very balanced discussion of the areas in which non-specific supportive treatment was as effective as CBT and where it was weak. As I recall, the treatment effects of BOTH protocols are significant but some symptoms, especially intrusive PTSD symptoms and driving avoidance seem to me to be more amenable to specific CBT interventions. Also, not surprisingly, CBT is likely to continue to have effects after treatment ends, since it is so skills based.

There is more comming in the area of clinical application - how to DO specific CBT tx with MVA PTSD patients in more detail. Two new books, "Overcoming the Trauma of Your Motor Vehicle Accident : A Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Program Workbook (Treatments That Work)" which is a patient workbook and "Overcoming the Trauma of Your Motor Vehicle Accident : A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program Therapist Guide (Treatments That Work)" are scheduled for release in early May.It appears that there will be paperbound volumes of BOTH books right away.

So my recommendation is if you are treating this population you are likely to find the second edition of "After the Crash" a very useful expansion of the first. It is likely that the upcomming practice focussed books will help clinicians more - but knowing how well and why the treatments described in them work is not trivial.If all you need are the "How to do it" aspects you may want to wait til May, but you may also have trouble answering some questions your patient might have about their illness and prognosis.

David.pollin@med.va.gov

Beware of the misleading title...
I am a postdoctoral fellow in neuropsychology who occasionally assesses TBI in motor vehicle accidents in a medical center in San Francisco.I was looking forward to receiving this book as I am always
interested in any resources I may offer to my patients after an evaluation.This book was a great disappointment!I think the title is very misleading.Before you actually arrive at the very tiny section on the assessment and treatment (supportive therapy -- you don't need to spend $40 on a book to learn how to do this!) of MVA survivors, you must wade through almost 350 (yes, 350!) pages of research, statistics, and and endless tables of research findings.Nowhere in the description of this book does it mention that the piece reads like a very long, very dry dissertation.Unless research, tables, and statistics are your thing, don't bother!I have been an Amazon customer for many years and I have never returned a book.However, I am returning this one immediately.I am very disappointed!

A good review on the literature
The book is full of abundant data and information about PTSD problems related to MVA.The review is very comprehensive and informative.However, there is limited discussion and presentation upon the treatment materials and practical steps in treating PTSD arised from MVA. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Understanding me!
I am a 28 year old female who lives in Australia. I have not found many books on self- Mutilation here and came across this book at our local library. I am what they label a 'Cutter', and found this book very helpful to understand why I self-harm and how to stop myself from doing it.

The book is set out in 6 chapters explaining: * What is self-Injury? * Who self-Injures and Why do they do it? * Self-Mutilation and Related Disorders * Treatment and Therapies * Helping Yourself Stop Self-Injury * Helping Someone Who self-Injures These chapters are full of detail, the most helpful to me were the last two chapters, it especially talks about how to tell friends and family about your Self-Injury, which was the hardest thing to do for me. After reading the book it made me feel like a real person again and that I have an illness that I share with many other people in the world.

The book also tells of others experiences in Self-Injury and why they came to do it. This illness can happen to all classes of people it talks of well know people like Jonny Depp and the late Princess Diana and what they went through.

I would reccommend this book to all that Self-Harm and all those family members and friends who love and want to help there loved one to overcome this. It has some very good advice on these things and expresses how support is so important, instead of ridicule and ultimatums people with these illnesses need love and understanding.

Please buy this book if you want to overcome this illness it has helped me a great deal to understand me and who I am. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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`Rofe's book is a unique scientific contribution to theunderstanding of psychopathological phenomena. He does more to unravelthe mystery of the underlying causes of psychological disorders thanwe've seen in a long time. His book The Rationality ofPsychological Disorders is a `true endeavor that presents adefinite challenge to the scientific community of Psychology'. Thisbook is a must-read for scientists, mental health professionals andothers who search for the logic and rationale in the irrational andbizarre.' Elizabeth F. Loftus, University of Washington, PastPresident, American Psychological Society. `The notion of repression is crucial to many psychological theories,but serious questions have been raised about it. Indeed, someinvestigators have questioned whether repression even exists. In thisbook, Professor Rofe offers provocative ideas concerningrepression and its role in psychopathology in general. His ideas meritattention and I can highly recommend his book for both researchers andclinicians.' David S. Holmes, Chancellor and DistinguishedProfessor, University of Kansas. ... Read more

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The volume provides researchers and practitioners with an overview of research and theoretically-based discussions of the new phenomenon of grandparents raising their grandchildren.Chapters explore the many dimensions of custodial grandparenting--discussing cultural differences, grandparents' dealing with special physical and psychological difficulties, as well as the clinical, legal, service-related, and policy-sensitive issues involved in surrogate parenting.The volume is a valuable reference and a guide to practice for professionals who work with older adults. ... Read more

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Studies the most common of mental syndromes and how it can cause tension or problems at school, work, and home. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not for children diagnosed with bipolar disorder
I agree with the other reviewer that this is not a helpful book.I was hoping to find an informative book for children that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.This book is definitely not it!I believe it would scare youngsters into thinking that they might end up in an asylum, receiving electro-shock therapy.The book states that not everyone ends up like that, but it seems to dwell on the topic.It also has some disturbing information about the history of mental illness and they way patients were treated long ago.

Not good -- validates stereotypes!
This book is very limited in scope and focuses on the negative aspects of manic depression.As the wife of a manic depressive, I found it to be a book to steer clear of as the author seems to think that all manicdepressives are doomed to be inmates and have no function in society. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the nature, possible causes, effects on the patient as well as family and friends, and treatment options of this deteriorative disease. ... Read more