Abnormal and Clinical Psychology

Divided into two sections, this text critically examines a number of general issues, including concepts of abnormality, before going on to consider the causes and treatment of a variety of disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, sexual problems, anxiety and personality disorders.

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"...The breadth of coverage, depth of analysis and scholarship of interpretation are admirable. This textbook will undoubtedly be widely read, routinely consulted and frequently cited by psychologists, psychiatrists and nurses." - Dr Peter Kinderman, Reader in Clinical Psychology, Liverpool University.

" Paul Bennett provides an authoritative review of concepts, models and treatments of common psychological disorders...The text is well illustrated by interesting case material, including clients' own accounts and is also well grounded in clinical practice. Bennett has included reviews of the impact of social disadvantage, gender and cultural diversity on mental health and discusses their implications for interventions and prevention...Abnormal and Clinical Psychology provides an excellent basis for undergraduate abnormal psychology teaching across the health care disciplines". - Professor Graham Turpin, Director, Clinical Psychology Unit, University of Sheffield.

*What are the causes of mental health problems?
*What are the best treatments for mental health problems?
*How do the experiences of people with mental health problems compare with the academic models of disorders?

This is the first undergraduate introductory textbook to provide a credible European alternative to the long-established US texts in the field. It offers:

- a concise and authoritative introduction to a range of conceptual models of mental health problems and their treatment
- an in-depth understanding and critical evaluation of these models
- illuminating patient accounts
- clear links between experiences of people with mental health problems and psychological theory

The book is divided into two sections. The first critically examines a number of general issues, including concepts of abnormality, diagnostic systems frequently used to classify mental health disorders and their alternatives, and psychological, biological and social factors that contribute to the development of disorders. It considers a number of approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders including cognitive behaviour therapy and psychoanalysis as well as more biological treatments.

The second section considers the causes and treatment of a variety of disorders including schizophrenia, depression, sexual problems, anxiety and personality disorders. Each is viewed from psychological, social, and biological perspectives and different intervention types are investigated.

This is the textbook lecturers and students on this side of the Atlantic have been waiting for - reflecting European as well as US research and practice.