Diagnosing and Treating Mental Illness, A Guide for Physicians, Interns, Nurses, Patients, and Their Families

This is an updated edition of a revolutionary little book about understanding mental illness from the perspective of how people actually experience it. Dr. Wylie believes that mental illnesses are segments of normal emotional function that have escaped into an unregulated, hyperactive emotional state. By describing the normal functions of these disordered emotions, they can be easily demystified and understood by friends, family and patients alike. Along side this vastly simplified common sense method of diagnosis is a complete compendium of effective treatments for each disorder that can both guide primary care physicians and inform laypersons as to their risks and benefits.
Dr. Wylie draws from his 35 years of experience to cover all aspects of diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and panic disorders, the major types of depression, anger conditions, borderline personality disorder, obsessive and compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, and other addictive conditions, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia. Both medication and psychotherapy treatments are thoroughly discussed, including electro-convulsive treatment. Whether you are a patient suffering from one of these disorders, a family member, friend, or medical practitioner, after reading this small book, you will have a good understanding of what mental illness is, what it feels like, and a firm grasp of the diagnosis and treatment alternatives available for the full range of these psychiatric conditions.
Editorial Reviews:
Reviewer: Vincent F. Carr, DO, MSA, FACC, FAPC(Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Description: This is a simple approach to mental illness developed by an experienced academic psychiatrist. Dr. Wylie looks back over his 35 years of practice and presents a common-sense retrospective evaluation of the changes in psychiatry during that time. It is an extraordinary book, removing the social politics and focusing on what works.
Purpose: this is a book that can help orient medical students and simplify and refresh experienced attendings in psychiatry. The author offers plain language explanations and encourages primary care practitioners to accept more responsibility for the psychiatric care of patients. He makes an important differentiation, and injects his common sense, between the words "clients" and "patients," which has irritated many physicians — a nice, welcome touch.
Audience: Anyone in healthcare — medical students, residents, attendings, nurses, and paraprofessionals - can benefit from this book. It is well written and helps define which professions should be caring for which patients and how to work together.
Features: the book is divided into generalized chapters, but the division is logistical only, as the author's thought process carries the discussion along, integrating concepts very nicely among the chapters.
Assessment: this is a valuable book, grounded in common sense. everyone in healthcare should read it. The lessons of this experienced academician are well worth the time.

Patient review from “Karen”:
This is a superb book for anyone who wants to better understand mental illness. Dr. Wylie is an expert at both diagnosis and treatment, and has an ability to communicate complex issues in an easy-to-understand way. I highly recommend it.