More than 150,000 copies in print, 4th EditionGET THE FACTS. GET THE BEST TREATMENT. GET BETTER"" "The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs" has become a classic and indispensable resource for the layperson and professional alike. Informative, accessible, and easy to use, this newly revised and updated resource presents comprehensive information on the latest drugs and research, covering most adult mental health problems. It also includes balanced information on controversial topics like the risk of suicide from antidepressants and the risk of obesity and diabetes from antipsychotics.This book will help people with psychiatric problems, as well as their concerned families and friends, to better understand when drug therapy should be considered, which drugs should be used, for how long, and what side effects are expected.Includes the latest information on: -Antidepressants -Antipsychotics-Side effects and withdrawal symptoms-Specific usage, dosage duration, and efficacy"This book...meets a critical need...for the millions of people for whom psychiatric drugs are so important." -Herbert Pardes, past President of the American Psychiatric Association.Jack M. Gorman, M.D. has been involved in psychiatric research, teaching, and patient care for more than two decades. He has been Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, and lectures frequently throughout the country. He is the author of "The Essential Guide to Mental Health." Jack M. Gorman, M.D. has been involved in psychiatric research, teaching, and patient care for more than two decades. He has been Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, and lectures frequently throughout the country. He is also the author of "The Essential Guide to Mental Health." "The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs" has become a classic and indispensable resource for the layperson and professional alike. Informative, accessible, and easy to use, this newly revised and updated resource presents comprehensive information on the latest drugs and research, covering most adult mental health problems. It also includes balanced information on controversial topics like the risk of suicide from antidepressants and the risk of obesity and diabetes from antipsychotics. This book will help people to better understand when drug therapy should be considered, which drugs should be used, for how long, and what side effects are expected. This revised and updated edition includes the latest information on: --Antidepressants --Antipsychotics--Side effects and withdrawal symptoms--Specific usage, dosage duration, and efficacy "This book . . . meets a critical need . . . for the millions of people for whom psychiatric drugs are so important."--Herbert Pardes, former President of the American Psychiatric Association "Psychopharmacology has changed so radically in the last few years that Gorman has updated this clear, balanced, and authoritative guide three times since the first edition appeared in 1997. Gorman stresses the field's human aspect: he promotes good history taking (at least an hour's worth) by the treating psychiatrist, encourages patients and family members to ask questions, and emphasizes the value of feeling better over other considerations, including insight. He sees the worth of psychotherapy, giving examples where medication is not appropriate, and addresses well the subject of electro-convulsive therapy (i.e., shock therapy) in a positive light. Gorman no longer takes fees from drug companies, is somewhat critical of their promotional ties to physicians, and strongly supports the use of cheaper generic medication when available. The chapters review all the usual syndromes, so the book is a general guide to symptoms and diagnoses as well as to drug treatment. Since most psychiatric drugs are prescribed by nonpsychiatric physicians, this work will be useful for them and for nurse practitioners as well as for patients and families. Essential."--"Library Journal"