This is the second edition of a book that describes major psychiatric diagnoses, medical courses of treatment, and how they affect daily functioning. The purpose is to help occupational therapists communicate more effectively with psychiatrists and others on the mental health team. Using the DSM-IV as an organizing framework, the book provides general information on each psychiatric condition, medication used, and how occupational performance is impacted. Although a good effort, this text duplicates other applied material already available to occupational therapists. The book is targeted especially for occupational therapists, but it could be used for student education and others on the mental health team. Ample references, figures, and appendixes augment the text. The author is well qualified in the field. This is a useful desk reference for the practicing occupational therapist and is a good adjunct to other texts in the field. Students of occupational therapy could also find this book useful in better understanding how psychiatric conditions affect performance.
Reviewer: Sharon D. Novalis, PhD, OTR/L(Chatham University)
Description: This sixth edition book is an update to the previous version, which was published in 2014. It provides the consistency of detail and form present in the previous editions. The table of contents clearly identifies the category and variety of mental health disorders discussed within the book. Each chapter contains specific diagnoses within the context of a diagnostic category, which facilitates detailed discussion of the nuances of mental health disorders. Each chapter begins with an outline of learning objectives and key terms. The consistent organizational structure is logical and reliable throughout, beginning with etiology of the disorder, prognosis, implications for function and treatment, implications for occupational therapy, cultural considerations, and ending with lifespan considerations. The book uses case study vignettes and reflective questions to provide relevant examples of the content. It also offers specific information related to psychopharmacology, occupational therapy evaluation and intervention, and the role of occupational therapy in the context of mental health as a sociocultural phenomenon. The appendices contain additional details about the pharmacological interventions and tools for occupational therapy evaluation.
Purpose: The purpose of the book is to guide occupational therapists in their understanding of mental health disorders and promote understanding of clients as well as the perspectives of the interdisciplinary treatment team. This guidance will inform the most effective occupational evaluation and intervention to address clients' occupational performance and quality of life. The book also notes that ongoing changes that have occurred within society continue to impact how mental health and mental health disorders are understood, not only from a medical and psychiatric perspective, but also within the context of political agendas, socio-political/socio-economic environments, and culture. The book clearly meets its intended objectives. The organization of the information facilitates a thorough, in-depth exploration of the various factors that impact clients within the context of these other influences (e.g., political, societal, and/or cultural). Consequently, this approach provides guidance to occupational practitioners in considering the relevant focus points of occupational therapy evaluation and intervention.
Audience: The book provides relevant information for students, academicians, practitioners, and individuals who want to further their knowledge of mental health disorders and the role of occupational therapy. Because it provides information on an array of disorders and guides occupational therapy practitioners in understanding client factors and the impact of occupational therapy evaluation and the selection of interventions, the book will easily serve as a text for students prior to entering the field. The author is a recognized subject matter expert on the role of occupational therapy in mental health and mental health disorders. Her work also reflects an awareness of ever-changing contexts, in terms of both external and internal factors (such as changes throughout the lifespan). The author continues to serve as a leading contributor in the occupational therapy profession, which has positive implications for the client community as well.
Features: The book systematically organizes the material to enhance readability and practical use. The evidence base of the content within each chapter is current and comprehensive. The book provides case study vignettes within each chapter to facilitate consideration of evidence-based practice. The color illustrations throughout the book are generous and poignant. The cultural and lifespan considerations are a valuable component of the book as they can further enhance the clinical vision of occupational therapy students or practitioners. The book also provides a listing of additional resources at the end of each chapter, including many internet resources and links to reputable, well-established organizations. Because suicide is now considered a global mental health crisis, readers should access additional information beyond what the book briefly presents. Additionally, because the illustrations may have an impact on readers, a content warning should be provided, most notably in Figure 6-3, which depicts an individual seemingly involved in the act of a suicide attempt. In future editions, the author may consider replacing Figure 6-3 with a less provocative, yet equally powerful illustration to depict the grief of survivors of suicide loss, or an individual in distress, presumably considering suicide given the context of the information in that section.
Assessment: This book presents the necessary information for occupational therapy practitioners who continue to consider the mental health and wellness of those they serve. It is specifically mindful of the updates in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and current, impactful societal changes — most notably related to the LGBTQ community, the opioid epidemic, influences of the Affordable Care Act, and the COVID pandemic — all of which have the potential to affect mental health and quality of life. Therefore, this sixth edition is a much-needed resource for occupational therapy practitioners seeking to understand the complexities of various psychopathologies and the impact on function and quality of life. The breadth and depth, as well as the consistency of educational products throughout the various editions, make this book highly valuable for occupational therapy students and practitioners who desire to further their knowledge of mental health and mental health disorders.
The 4th Edition of Psychopathology and Function continues the valuable and valued legacy of the previous versions of this textbook. The frequent use of tables simplifying the essence of the sections is of particular value in providing a welcome clarity. Similarly, the use of a case study at the end of each chapter is a very helpful strategy that serves to invite the consolidation of new knowledge acquisition with therapeutic applications. In summary, this is a complete “go to” resource for mental health, mental illness and occupational therapy; a book of unquestionable use for students, practitioners, educators and researchers alike.”
-Sue Baptiste, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
“I highly recommend Psychopathology and Function as part of mandatory requirements for an occupational therapist program. It presents a strong foundation for curriculum development in any psychosocial dysfunction program, but is especially timely for allied health care professionals such as occupational therapists."
-Marlis Glenda Anne Bruyere, DHA, Med, BA, Bed, University of Atlanta, Activities, Adaptation and Aging
“I feel there are elements of this book that could be useful for the newly qualified practitioner.”
-Wendy Hedgecock, British Journal of Occupational Therapy
"Educators will find this book difficult to put down because global concepts and relationships that are hard to explain to students are spelled out with great clarity... One comes away with a good practical knowledge of OT in mental health without having to delve strenuously into obtuse conceptual theories that are difficult to put into practice."
— Kimberly A. Vogel, EdD, OTR/L, University of Texas Health Science Center, Occupational Therapy in Health Care
