Unmasking Psychological Symptoms: How Therapists Can Learn to Recognize the Psychological Presentation of Medical Disorders Paperback - 2011 - 1st Edition

From the rear cover

A clear and systematic guide for identifying psychological symptoms that may be masking a medical disorder

How can a clinician tell if a patient might have an underlying, discrete medical condition that may be causing or complicating a presenting problem? And how might this be brought to light during an interview? An essential primer encouraging clinicians to use the therapeutic skills of observation and clinical curiosity they already possess, Unmasking Psychological Symptoms explores more than one hundred medical conditions--including thyroid disorders, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, sleep apnea, HIV, Lyme disease, and many other disorders that produce psychological symptoms. It helps practitioners direct their diagnostic skills to recognize when a physician's evaluation may be called for as the next step in treatment.

Filled with examples based on the experiences of real patients and clinicians, Unmasking Psychological Symptoms covers:

• Performing a thorough assessment

• The characteristics that make organic diseases difficult to detect

• The signs, symptoms, and behavior patterns clinicians should look for when an underlying medical condition is suspected

• How to know when to refer patients for a medical workup

Straightforward and practical, Unmasking Psychological Symptoms shows therapists how to optimally use their knowledge base and experience to provide the most effective treatment for their patients.