The Family Intervention Guide to Mental Illness: Recognizing Symptoms & Getting Treatment

Detailed but not overwhelming, Morey and Mueser have created an extremely helpful addition to the family medical reference library. Morey and Mueser's straightforward writing style and common sense approach guide readers through a step-by-step process for helping a mentally afflicted loved one. Chapters begin with a ""fundamental step"" (""Discuss the situation openly,"" ""Get a correct diagnosis""), and end with a list of ""good steps"" (""Familiarize yourself with the symptoms"") and ""missteps"" (""Thinking that it's none of your business"") which give readers extra guidance. Practical information and advice are well illustrated by vignettes and case histories; included are strategies for introducing the idea of getting help, thumbnail descriptions of a wide range of mental illnesses, coping with long-term interventions and how to keep on ""living your own life."" Therapies, including medication, are also surveyed, as well as resources for further information. Comprehensive, compassionate and rooted in solid research, this easy-to-read guidebook is suitable for any family in search of answers.