Book reviews

Advancement in the management and treatment of depressionEdited by John Potokar and Michael Thase

Published by Martin Dunitz, London, UK, 2003,

208 pp., Pocketbook, US$ 47.95. ISBN 1-84184-153-6

This book is a must. Its format and length is reader-friendlyand, in contrast to textbooks, my guess is, that this bookactually will be read. In eight chapters, experts from differentfields cover epidemiology and risk factors, neurobiology,genetics, developments in antidepressants, physical therapies,long-term treatment and prevention, psychological therapiesand complementary therapies. Especially the chapters onneurobiology of depression by Claus Normann and MathiasBerger and the chapter on developments in antidepressants byStephen Stahl, Meghan M Grady and Robert Niculescu arevery informative. The first mentioned chapter deals with theconcepts of neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, the corticosteroidsystem and stress, and the second chapter is an overview of theprofiles and mechanisms of action of current antidepressantsand glimpses of the antidepressants to come.By including separate chapters on physical therapies and

complementary therapies such as light therapy, electrocon-vulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic therapy, St JohnsWort, omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, and others, the bookmakes us aware of the great number of treatment modalitiesthat already exist. Missing are chronobiological therapiessuch as sleep deprivation. A separate chapter on themanagement of patients with depression would also fit innicely with the rest of the book. It has well worked-outfigures and tables and a very good index. This book isrecommendable for general practitioners, psychiatrists intraining, medical experts and psychologists who want to beupdated in depression.

Klaus MartinyPsychiatric Research Unit

Frederiksborg General Hospital

DK-3400 Hillerød

Denmark

Suicide in children and adolescentsBy R.A. King and A. Apter (eds).

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003. 320 pp.,

US$65.00 (paperback), ISBN 0-521-62226-3

The topic elaborated in the book is of great importance, giventhe growing rates of suicidal behavior in different populations.The contributors are psychiatrists and clinical psychologistsfrom the UK, the US, Sweden and Israel.The biopsychosocial approach, which is considered to be

the best for mental disorders, dominates the whole work.Epidemiological data indicate that in the US there is a rate of6/100 000 at the age of 14 and 26/100 000 at the age of 22,but in other corners of the world much higher rates areobserved for the age group 15–24: 52/100 000 in the RussianFederation, 38/100 000 in New Zealand, 30/100 000 inAustralia and Finland. In the US the rates have beencontinually growing since 1964. Although twin studies suggestsome genetic influence on suicidal behavior, among riskfactors are mentioned stressful life events, parental divorce,

physical abuse, school and work problems, and modeling.Abundant research findings are presented for the co-occur-rence of suicidal tendencies and other adolescent risk behav-iors, such as substance abuse, aggressive behavior, and high-risk sexual activity. Research of the biological factors point tothe importance of serotonin and catecholamines in suicidalbehavior. Research indicate that adolescents who attemptedsuicide show some common psychopathological characteris-tics: aggression, impulsivity, anger, depression, and anxiety.Experiences of loss, an exaggerated self-criticism, narcissismand poor interpersonal contacts are shown to correlate withsuicide. The cross-cultural variation in child and adolescentsuicide is discussed in a most interesting chapter of the book.The prevalence of different methods of suicide varies acrosscultures and societies, reflecting both ease of access andinfluences of models. Case studies and the presentation of theprocedures for identifying suicidal ideation (skills of inter-viewing, tests and rating scales) are also valuable parts of thebook.Given the complexity of the underlying factors, an efficient

treatment has to be also complex and integrative, includingdrugs, cognitive behavioral techniques, family therapy, andmanaging the social and existential problems, in case ofnecessity. Psychotherapy and preventive work have to befocused on self-esteem, intrapunitiveness, hopelessness, dys-functional attitudes, and lack of social support. Methods ofprevention include school and community education, screeningprograms, peer support programs, as well as enhancement ofself-management and problem-solving skills.A comprehensive biopsychosocial approach and an evi-

dence-based elaboration of the topic can be mentioned asgreatest merits of the book.Structure of the book: 13 chapters, 320 pages, with

references at the end of each chapter and with subject indexat the end of the book.

Rita Berghammer, Agnes HajnalInstitute of Behavioural Sciences

Semmelweis University Budapest

Nagyvarad ter 4

1089 Budapest

Hungary

Disorders of brain and mind 2By Maria A. Ron and Trevor W. Robbins (eds). Published by

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2003

478 pp., £49.95, US $70.00. ISBN 0-521-00456-X

This book, the successor of Disorders of Brain and Mind(1998), contains a comprehensive set of reviews on topics fromthe field of neuroscience related to psychiatry. A wide scope ofinformation is presented ranging from basic scientific to clinicalaspects of these topics. Chapters describing recent advances indementia, affective illness, aggression, drug use and abuse paybroad attention to experimental models and the neurobiologicand neurocognitive underpinnings of the respective diseasesand behaviours. There is a prominent role for neuroimaging inthe book, focusing on both normal and abnormal functioningof the brain. The present state of structural and functional

Acta Psychiatr Scand 2004: 110: 315–318Printed in UK. All rights reserved

Copyright � Blackwell Munksgaard 2004

ACTA PSYCHIATRICASCANDINAVICA

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neuroimaging in psychiatry, as well as new directions in theseareas, are discussed. In addition, an introduction to theprinciples of neuropathologically sensitive MRI techniques(magnetization transfer and diffusion tensor imaging) isprovided, and the data on the application of these techniquesto the study of psychosis reviewed. Other subjects covered inthis volume include the genetics of normal and abnormalcognition, brain development, and consciousness.I would recommend this book to any clinician and

researcher working in psychiatry, neuropsychology andneurology. It provides a fascinating collection of articlesthat introduces one into neuroscientific topics currently ofinterest in psychiatry.

Machteld MarcelisDepartment of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology

Maastricht University

The Netherlands

Campbell’s psychiatric dictionaryBy Roger J. Campbell. 8th Edition Published by Oxford University

Press, Oxford, UK, 2004, 701 pp., Hardback, £45.00. ISBN

0-19-51522-2

Campbell’s Psychiatric Dictionary is now available in its 8thedition. This message should in itself be sufficient as a review ofthis cornerstone in the literature of the psychiatric profession.However, allow me a few words more.Being a dictionary browser, this book is a goldmine:

Servomechanism, reeler, holergasia, consolidation (which is notwhat you believe), artificial intelligence (which has nothing todo with management culture), acamprosate and good oldmaternal deprivation syndrome.It covers the full spectrum from basic psychoanalytic theory

and history to the most present modern genetic, biochemistryand brain physiology.By offering comprehensive descriptions and biographies,

the dictionary has the character of being almost an encyclo-paedia.The decrease in academic educational level has in some parts

of the so-called civilized world come to a level where you canbecome a psychiatrist (and doctor within the other medicalspecialities too) without ever having been taught even theslightest touch of Latin – (not to mention Greek). To thesepoor people the Campbell Psychiatric Dictionary would bringat least some touch of cultural background if it in followingeditions added Latin and Greek origin to relevant words,concepts and expressions.Finally, by giving the crucial (and almost) fully correct

information about my late teacher, Professor Erik Stromgren,the author made me a full supporter of the book which shouldbe a must in any locality where psychiatrists, neurologists andmembers of allied profession move.

Povl Munk-JørgensenUnit for Psychiatric Research

Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital

Mølleparkvej 10

DK-9100 Aalborg,

Denmark

Autism and creativity. Is there a link between autism andexceptional abilityBy Michael Fitzgerald. Published by Brunner-Routledge, New

York, USA, 2004, ISBN-No 1583912134. 226 pages. Hardback

£29.99.

This book covers an interesting topic, i.e. whether certainhistorical figures had Asperger’s syndrome or showed featuresof Asperger’s syndrome. Furthermore, the book provides uswith a better understanding of these major characters inmodern time history.The first part of the book covers the diagnosis and

psychology of high functioning autism and Asperger’s syn-drome. The subsequent and largest part of the book is apresentation of a lot of examples from the life of thephilosopher Wittgenstein to support that Wittgenstein sufferedfrom Asperger’s syndrome. Also, the book deals with otherhistorical figures, i.e. Sir Keith Joseph (politician), Eamon deValera (politician), William Butler Yeats (poet and play-wright), Lewis Caroll (author), and Ramanujan (mathemati-cian).Many examples are provided about the behaviour of the

historical characters and these examples are related to thesymptoms of Asperger’s syndrome/high functioning autism.However, owing to the many examples provided the booksometimes seems incoherent and therefore may be less read-able.The description of features of Asperger’s syndrome or high

functioning autism in relation to the historical figures Sir KeithJoseph, Eamon de Valera, William Butler Yeats, Lewis Caroll,and Ramanujan provides new information and seems interest-ing.This book although it sometimes seems incoherent expands

our understanding and contributes to the discussion of whetherthese historical persons have features of Asperger’s syndromeor autism. This is, however, an ongoing debate and thediscussion has not been closed with this book.

Marlene B. LauritsenCenter for Basic Psychiatric Research

Psychiatric Hospital in Aarhus

Skovagervej 2

DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark

Beating the blues: new approaches to overcoming dysthymia andchronic mild depressionBy Michael E. Thase and Susan S. Lang. Published by Oxford

University Press, Oxford, UK, 2004, 174 pages, £11.99,

ISBN 0-19-515918-7

Although many self-help books have been written for peoplewith depression, Thase and Lang are the first to publish aspecific self-help book about dysthymia and chronic milddepression. In this book, the authors describe elaborately whatdysthymia and mild chronic depression are, the symptoms,diagnosis and risk factors. Furthermore, several mood-man-agement techniques that can be used by patients to reducemood problems are described with real-life examples. Theauthors give useful advice on when to seek professional helpand, apart from psychotherapy and pharmacological treat-ment, also describe alternative treatments, such as exercise,nutrition and herbal treatments.One problem with the book is that many of the important

subjects could just as well be written for any self-help book ondepression and is not very specific for dysthymia or mild

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Book reviews