The Chronically Mentally Ill (PDF)

The topic of chronic mental illness has been much discussed, but there is still no widely accepted strategy of intervention for patients suffering from disorders of this kind. These patients have received little attention until recently, because they are difficult to treat effectively. Although methods of patient care are changing rapidly, the application of new techniques has been slow. Services for chronically disabled patients have been poorly funded. Government support has decreased while deinstitutionalization has increased the demand for community services. This volume focuses on emerging trends and developments in the field and offers comprehensive coverage of state-of-the-art methods of diagnosis, evalua­ tion, and treatment of the chronically mentally ill population. Many leading clinicians, scientists, and mental health advocates discuss new suggestions and solutions to longstanding problems, presenting biological and psychosocial perspectives. We introduce readers to current movements in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia, depression, chronic alcoholism, mental retardation, and the mental illnesses related to aging. Recent trends in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and social management that may enable patients to live more satisfying and productive lives are particularly highlighted.