	Book Ideas from Dr. Bob
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Book Ideas

Recommendations by colleagues at psycho-pharm

I hope you find some of these books of interest. This is one of several groups:

Mental health
- My own suggestions
- Written by members of my department
- Recommendations from other sources
  - psycho-pharm, the mailing list
  - Psycho-Babble, my bulletin board
  - Student counselors
- Best sellers
More for fun
Search for something else

[new] means newly listed here, not (necessarily) newly published.

The links are to the amazon.com site, where, if you like, you can actually buy the books. Their Associates Program is supposed to "earn" me up to 15% of sales in referral fees (at no extra cost to you).

	Before It's Too Late : Why Some Kids Get into Trouble -- And What Parents Can Do About It by Stanton E. Samenow Recommended by Richard Brand, M.D.: I have found this book helpful. It is excellent and provides a great perspective on adolescent sociopathy. I have urged parents to read it, as it helps them overcome their guilt when that is an issue. It helps with my guilt also, as it explains in detail the mind-set of these kids and why they will often defeat our best efforts to help them.
	Crossing the Bridge : Creating Ceremonies for Grieving and Healing from Life's Losses by Sydney Barbara Metrick Recommended by Whit Garberson: I have a late 70's lady who just lost her husband. She seems to be now going through normal grief. Any recommendations regarding self help reading? [This is] a wonderful little book about ceremonies and rituals; very concrete and practical if the "fit" is right.
	Good Grief : A Constructive Approach to the Problem of Loss by Granger E. Westberg Recommended by Shelby Havens, ARNP, MSN: [This is] a comforting little book that can be read in about an hour.
	Heaven's Coast : A Memoir by Mark Doty Recommended by Clyde Watkins MD: I regularly recommend two books, [this] one a memoir, the other a novel.
	His Bright Light : The Story of Nick Traina by Danielle Steel Recommended by Phyllis B. Edelheit, MD: I have recently finished reading Danielle Steel's biography of her son, His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina. He was an undiagnosed bipolar for many years and successfully suicided at age 19 after chronic insomnia since toddlerhood, psychiatric evaluations since about age 4, and much substance abuse. I think it sends a message to professionals -- and should make us think about how aggressively we should be treating our patients. Of course, the participants on the psycho-pharm list share an interest in active treatment, but it is a poignant message and quite worth the time. Joe Biederman recommended it to me and I agree with the recommendation. A good book to read.
	How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies by Therese A. Rando Recommended by Dr. Matthew Nessetti: This is a really great book that I recommend to patients... It is a very general book and covers many different death experiences. So, it may not meet the needs a specific patient dealing with a specific death experience as a stand a lone book. But it is a great introduction to self-help for grief.
	Monkeys by Susan Minot Recommended by Clyde Watkins MD: I regularly recommend two books, one a memoir, [this one] a novel.
	The Omega Diet : The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete by Artemis P. Simopoulos, Jo Robinson Recommended by Brent Menninger, MD: One excellent source for information on omega 3 fatty acids is this book. Its web site has distilled information about everything omega. One feature of the web site is a rather impressive listing of the number of grams of polyunsaturated fats (omega 6, linoleic acid, DHA and EPA) in everything from anchovies to walnuts. There are many, many references to articles in medical journals that are relevant to overall health benefits of diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
(no picture, sorry)	Partners in Healing : Perspectives on the Experience of Psychiatry Alan B. Eppel, MB, FRCP, et. al. Recommended by the author: You may find this book of interest. It is unique in being written jointly by psychiatrists, patients, family members, and a psychiatrist who has a bipolar disorder.
	Psychotherapist's Guide to Psychopharmacology by Michael J. Gitlin Recommended by Michael Glasser, MD: [This book] is pretty easy to read & understand for almost anyone.
	Seven Choices : Taking the Steps to New Life After Losing Someone You Love by Elizabeth Harper Neeld Recommended by John M. Talmadge, M.D.: Reflections and advice from a nationally known teacher and writer who lost her husband and had to deal with her own grief. I helped her with this book, as did Sid Zisook MD from UC San Diego.
	Understanding Depression : A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment by Donald F. Klein, Paul H. Wender Recommended by N. Frank Feiner, Ph.D., M.D.: Inexpensive but informative and lay-readable.
	You Can Beat Depression : A Guide to Prevention & Recovery by John Preston Recommended by Margie Hackett MFT: This is an excellent, easy to read book that clearly differentiates clinical depression from psychological depression. I have received positive feedback from my clients, many of who are unfamiliar with medications and their mechanisms of action. He was a professor of mine.