The Madness of Fear

A History of Catatonia

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, History, Specialties, Psychiatry
Cover of the book The Madness of Fear by Edward Shorter, Max Fink, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Edward Shorter, Max Fink ISBN: 9780190881214
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: June 27, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Edward Shorter, Max Fink
ISBN: 9780190881214
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: June 27, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

What are the real disease entities in psychiatry? This is a question that has bedeviled the study of the mind for more than a century yet it is low on the research agenda of psychiatry. Basic science issues such as neuroimaging, neurochemistry, and genetics carry the day instead. There is nothing wrong with basic science research, but before studying the role of brain circuits or cerebral chemistry, shouldn't we be able to specify how the various diseases present clinically? Catatonia is a human behavioral syndrome that for almost a century was buried in the poorly designated psychiatric concept of schizophrenia. Its symptoms are well-know, and some of them are serious. Catatonic patients may die as their temperatures accelerate; they become dehydrated because they refuse to drink; they risk inanition because they refuse to eat or move. Autistic children with catatonia may hit themselves repeatedly in the head. We don't really know what catatonia is, in the sense that we know what pneumonia is. But we can identify it, and it is eminently treatable. Clinicians can make these patients better on a reliable basis. There are few other disease entities in psychiatry of which this is true. So why has there been so little psychiatric interest in catatonia? Why is it simply not on the radar of most clinicians? Catatonia actually occurs in a number of other medical illnesses as well, but it is certainly not on the radar of most internists or emergency physicians. In The Madness of Fear, Drs. Shorter and Fink seek to understand why this "vast field of ignorance" exists. In the history of catatonia, they see a remarkable story about how medicine flounders, and then seems to find its way. And it may help doctors, and the public, to recognize catatonia as one of the core illnesses in psychiatry.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

What are the real disease entities in psychiatry? This is a question that has bedeviled the study of the mind for more than a century yet it is low on the research agenda of psychiatry. Basic science issues such as neuroimaging, neurochemistry, and genetics carry the day instead. There is nothing wrong with basic science research, but before studying the role of brain circuits or cerebral chemistry, shouldn't we be able to specify how the various diseases present clinically? Catatonia is a human behavioral syndrome that for almost a century was buried in the poorly designated psychiatric concept of schizophrenia. Its symptoms are well-know, and some of them are serious. Catatonic patients may die as their temperatures accelerate; they become dehydrated because they refuse to drink; they risk inanition because they refuse to eat or move. Autistic children with catatonia may hit themselves repeatedly in the head. We don't really know what catatonia is, in the sense that we know what pneumonia is. But we can identify it, and it is eminently treatable. Clinicians can make these patients better on a reliable basis. There are few other disease entities in psychiatry of which this is true. So why has there been so little psychiatric interest in catatonia? Why is it simply not on the radar of most clinicians? Catatonia actually occurs in a number of other medical illnesses as well, but it is certainly not on the radar of most internists or emergency physicians. In The Madness of Fear, Drs. Shorter and Fink seek to understand why this "vast field of ignorance" exists. In the history of catatonia, they see a remarkable story about how medicine flounders, and then seems to find its way. And it may help doctors, and the public, to recognize catatonia as one of the core illnesses in psychiatry.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Infinite Baseball by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Social Work Profession: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Girolamo Savonarola: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Immigration Outside the Law by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book The Clarinet in the Classical Period by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book The American Catholic Revolution by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Sociology and Anthropology: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Eisenhower and the Cold War by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book American Lazarus by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Dinosaurs - With Audio Level 3 Factfiles Oxford Bookworms Library by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Simple Listening Activities - Oxford Basics by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Trans Bodies, Trans Selves by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book The Card - With Audio Level 3 Oxford Bookworms Library by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Mormon Feminism by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
Cover of the book Asymmetric Politics by Edward Shorter, Max Fink
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy