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BOOK REVIEW Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2nd edition Nick Bouras & Geraldine Holt (Eds) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007 424 pp., £50 (hdbk) ISBN 9780521608251 (Also available as an e-book: ISBN 9780511267048) The first edition of the book Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Developmental Disabilities in 1999 made available a comprehensive text for the field of Learning Disability Psychiatry. In this second edition, where Bouras is joined by Holt as co-editor, the revised title presents the first indication of the update in knowledge and clinical trends contained within; the term ‘‘Mental Retardation’’ has been replaced with ‘‘Intellectual Disabilities’’ which is globally more accepted and recognized. This sets the pace for presenting its intended readers with the challenge of rethinking their ideas about this unique field of practice. The book’s layout is excellent; divided into sections on Assessment, Psychopathology, Treatment and Service Systems, each of which contains informative chapters. The Assessment and Psychopathology sections include striking discussion of multi- disciplinary assessment and the use of assessment tools. The distinctions that apply to the presentation of mental illness in people with Intellectual Disabilities are clearly highlighted. Also very welcome is the wealth of information on the interface between medical and psychiatric disorders. The Treatment section provides an analytical and evidence-based look at the sometimes controversial area of psychopharmacology in this population. Additionally this edition contains new and significant chapters on Psychodynamic Approaches and Psychosocial interventions, which broadens the appeal to a range of Therapists and Social Workers. The Service Delivery section is of high standard and provides a good overview of international service models. However, I would have appreciated a more in-depth cover of the gap between the remits of general adult psychiatry and learning disability psychiatry to include service delivery for persons with borderline learning disabilities and persons with Asperger Syndrome. The ending of each chapter with a ‘‘conclusion’’ helps focus the application and implication of the topics discussed, whilst the ‘‘summary points’’ section provides a useful bullet-point presentation of the most poignant facts, particularly helpful for busy practitioners and students. On the whole, all the topics are comprehensively written by an impressive range of authors, including psychiatrists, psychologists and researchers well recognized in their respective fields. Journal of Mental Health, August 2009; 18(4): 362–363 ISSN 0963-8237 print/ISSN 1360-0567 online Ó Shadowfax Publishing and Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. DOI: 10.1080/09638230902946783 J Ment Health Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Melbourne on 10/29/14 For personal use only.

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BOOK REVIEW

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Intellectual and Developmental

Disabilities

2nd edition

Nick Bouras & Geraldine Holt (Eds)

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007

424 pp., £50 (hdbk)

ISBN 9780521608251

(Also available as an e-book: ISBN 9780511267048)

The first edition of the book Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Developmental

Disabilities in 1999 made available a comprehensive text for the field of Learning

Disability Psychiatry. In this second edition, where Bouras is joined by Holt as co-editor,

the revised title presents the first indication of the update in knowledge and clinical

trends contained within; the term ‘‘Mental Retardation’’ has been replaced with

‘‘Intellectual Disabilities’’ which is globally more accepted and recognized. This sets the

pace for presenting its intended readers with the challenge of rethinking their ideas about

this unique field of practice.

The book’s layout is excellent; divided into sections on Assessment, Psychopathology,

Treatment and Service Systems, each of which contains informative chapters.

The Assessment and Psychopathology sections include striking discussion of multi-

disciplinary assessment and the use of assessment tools. The distinctions that apply to the

presentation of mental illness in people with Intellectual Disabilities are clearly highlighted.

Also very welcome is the wealth of information on the interface between medical and

psychiatric disorders. The Treatment section provides an analytical and evidence-based look

at the sometimes controversial area of psychopharmacology in this population. Additionally

this edition contains new and significant chapters on Psychodynamic Approaches and

Psychosocial interventions, which broadens the appeal to a range of Therapists and Social

Workers.

The Service Delivery section is of high standard and provides a good overview of

international service models. However, I would have appreciated a more in-depth cover of

the gap between the remits of general adult psychiatry and learning disability psychiatry to

include service delivery for persons with borderline learning disabilities and persons with

Asperger Syndrome.

The ending of each chapter with a ‘‘conclusion’’ helps focus the application and

implication of the topics discussed, whilst the ‘‘summary points’’ section provides a useful

bullet-point presentation of the most poignant facts, particularly helpful for busy

practitioners and students.

On the whole, all the topics are comprehensively written by an impressive range of

authors, including psychiatrists, psychologists and researchers well recognized in their

respective fields.

Journal of Mental Health,

August 2009; 18(4): 362–363

ISSN 0963-8237 print/ISSN 1360-0567 online � Shadowfax Publishing and Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

DOI: 10.1080/09638230902946783

J M

ent H

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from

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9/14

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In summary, the editors have produced an excellent well-researched tool for hands-on

clinical practice. With its clarity, reader-friendly style, up-to-date knowledge and practical

relevance, this is a text which is highly recommended for anyone involved in the field of

intellectual disabilities, from students to clinicians and managers.

LEAH AKINLONU

Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry of Learning Disabilities,

Waltham Forest Community Learning Disabilities Team,

London, UK

E-mail: [email protected]

Book Review 363

J M

ent H

ealth

Dow

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from

info

rmah

ealth

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.com

by

Uni

vers

ity o

f M

elbo

urne

on

10/2

9/14

For

pers

onal

use

onl

y.