IF THE PATIENT IS YOU (OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE): Psychiatry Inside-Out

An instructive, unintimidating overview of the most common manifestations of mental illness and the variety of treatments available. A clinician for 25 years, Dr. Miller believes in offering a wide range of techniques to patients; since some people respond only to medications, others only to therapy, and still others to various combinations, the counselor must adapt and adjust to each unique situation. Miller's ""existential"" approach, in contrast to ""client-centered"" practices or strict psychoanalysis, proceeds cautiously to ascertain the appropriate kinds of intervention. He commends the work of Rogers and Becker, quotes from Sartre and Siddhartha, and presents a series of graphic case studies which elaborate on chronic conditions--obsessive/compulsive behavior, alcoholism and drug addiction, hysteria, depression, the patchwork of schizophrenic symptoms. He also describes the convoluted rituals of parents and children, the difficulties of aging--especially in a youth-oriented society--and the peculiar resistances of determined patients: ""I don't ever want to be in a position where I can't go crazy if I need to,"" one insisted, refusing regular medication. No kin to Laing or Szasz here--relaxed, reassuring, and easy to follow.