ABSTRACT

'This book gives a 'bottom-up', practical overview of mental health. I have distilled psychological, biological and sociological background material and siphoned off anything that is not relevant to primary care. I aim to demystify the management of common problems and empower the reader to have a more rewarding and fun time at work and a better ability to cope with the ever-increasing demand and challenge of dealing with multiple physical and mental health issues often brought by a single individual to a time-limited consultation' - Mark Morris.This book provides an up-to-date guide to mental health for primary care workers who are not experts in the field. It is logically structured, providing a clear overview of causal factors before presenting individual conditions in a diagnostic hierarchy. Particular attention is given to areas where there has been a deficit in understanding or training, along with problems that are most frequently encountered and managed in primary care. Meanwhile, a Psychological Tools section introduces solid practical frameworks for managing mental health problems developed from cognitive behaviour therapy, solution-focused and motivational interviewing techniques. A selection of resources for patients is also included. It includes foreword by: Andrew Polmear MA MSc FRCP FRCGP; Former General Practitioner and Senior Research Fellow, Academic Unit of Primary Care, The Trafford Centre, University of Sussex, September 2008.

part 1|23 pages

Causation

chapter 1|12 pages

Vulnerability and resilience: personality

chapter 2|9 pages

Stressors: precipitating factors

part 2|98 pages

Problems

chapter 3|10 pages

Assessment

chapter 5|12 pages

Alcohol and drugs

chapter 6|10 pages

Psychosis

chapter 7|18 pages

Mood problems

chapter 9|10 pages

Personality issues

chapter 10|10 pages

Eating disorders

part 3|46 pages

Psychological tools

part 4|25 pages

Patient resources

chapter |2 pages

Advice for problem drinking

chapter |2 pages

Safer injecting

chapter |11 pages

Appendices