Product Description

These days, prescription drugs are often considered a first course of treatment for psychological disorders. Like any other modern pharmaceuticals, psychopharmacological drugs are complex, powerful, and highly interactive with other chemical and natural medications. Mental health and medical professionals absolutely must have a thorough knowledge of how these medicines are used and how they work in the human body. People who take these drugs or love others who do will benefit greatly from having a thorough understanding of the application and function of psychologically effective prescription drugs. This book has proven its indispensability through three editions and remains, in this fourth major update, the single most respected and widely used book on the subject available.

Everyone who needs the most accurate and comprehensive information about psychopharmacological medicines must have this book on his or her shelf. It covers every significant medical aspect of the use of these drugs, including indications based on diagnosis, physiological functions, side effects, and criteria for evaluating client response and recommending further treatment or reevaluation. This revised and expanded edition includes a new chapter devoted to children and psychopharmaceuticals. Sections on bipolar disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder have been revised to include major developments in current research. Six new drugs have been fully reviewed and added to the book's charts and tables.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90648 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

From the Publisher
A must-have resource for all therapists that provides the most up-to-date information on the effects, side effects, and best uses of every psychoactive medication.

About the Author
John Preston, Psy. D., ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and the author of fourteen books. He is professor of psychology at the Sacramento, CA, campus of Alliant International University and has served on the faculty of the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. He has lectured widely in the United States and abroad. He is the recipient of the Mental Health Association President's award for contributions to the mental health profession.

John O'Neal, MD, has been a board-certified psychiatrist in private practice since 1977. He is a past chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Sutter Community Hospital in Sacramento, CA. He is associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine and a fellow of the APA. He lectures on depression and psychopharmacology to mental health professionals, employee assistance programs, and the public. He received his master of education degree in clinical psychology from Harvard University.

Mary Talaga, R.Ph., Ph.D., is pharmacy services manager at the Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Center. She has been a pharmacist for over twenty-five years, with specialization in psychiatric pharmacy. She has held a number of management, patient care, and drug utilization positions throughout her career. Her current projects include development of collaborative care models for the treatment of depression in primary care. She frequently provides clinical in-service training to health professionals and general education to patients and consumers.

Customer Reviews

Handbook worth having
The book was recommened for an into class in Psychopharmacology. I read through all of it! The information is presented in easy to ready formats. It aslo includes practical case studies to help demonstrate concepts. It stresses that the information presented is in basic overview and some topics can be further researched. Yet, the material covered is indepth for most work in family therapy. The most commonly used psychotropic drugs, their primary uses and side effects are given in easy to use format. This is a great reference book for anyone going into counseling/therapy.

Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology
The book is written in clear practical way for clinicians across many disciplines to use easily.
I will certainly recommend it to anyone who wants a simple yet thorough coverage of the material for clinical puposes.


R. S. Ellecom, Psy.D, Dr.P.H

Pharmacology Text great for Graduate students.
This book gives a wealth of clear and concise information regarding psychotropic medications. Included is a good write up of the history of medications in the mental health field. There are also descriptions of public and media perceptions of medications as well as historic attacks on psychotropic drugs based on rumor, politics, religion, and incorrect information. Anyone in the mental health field may benefit from having this book on their shelf.