Mental Retardation or In the Pursuit of Winning

Mental Retardation: Nature, Cause, and Management

Author: George S Baroff

Mental Retardation, now in the third edition, was hailed as a "classic" when it was first published in the 1970's. This edition provides up-to-date material on the major dimensions of mental retardation-its nature, its causes, both biological and psychological, and its management.

Mani Pavuluri

This is a comprehensive book on mental retardation in which the presentation, etiology, and management are outlined. An added unique feature in this third edition is a series of potential discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The reference list has benn expanded to include the most recent publications. This book is particularly readable and includes well-organized details in all areas that are relevant for mental retardation. Authors intend to highlight "person." They have met their objectives in providing accurate information on the most recent definitions of mental retardation, biopsychosocial variables, and the obstacles and rewards in treating mental retardation. According to the authors, this book is written for upper level undergraduate and graduate students and for the professionals in the field. I agree that it will be of immense interest to those in the fields of psychology, child psychiatry, pediatrics, education, and social services. Both the senior author and the guest author have extensive experience in the field of mental retardation and it is a treat to get a distilled version of their experience in the form of a readable textbook. Definitions, biological factors, and environmental factors are all well covered. Psychiatric disorders and mental retardation, comprehensive services, and support services are well covered for all age groups, severity, and in various settings. Authors have covered all the key concepts related to mental retardation. This book has all there is to learn on the topic. While the medical management of various behavior/psychiatric problems is mentioned in some detail, the presentation lacks a systematic approach. This, however, isa small detail compared to the rich detail in other areas.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Mani Pavuluri, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This is a comprehensive book on mental retardation in which the presentation, etiology, and management are outlined. An added unique feature in this third edition is a series of potential discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The reference list has benn expanded to include the most recent publications.
Purpose: This book is particularly readable and includes well-organized details in all areas that are relevant for mental retardation. Authors intend to highlight "person." They have met their objectives in providing accurate information on the most recent definitions of mental retardation, biopsychosocial variables, and the obstacles and rewards in treating mental retardation.
Audience: According to the authors, this book is written for upper level undergraduate and graduate students and for the professionals in the field. I agree that it will be of immense interest to those in the fields of psychology, child psychiatry, pediatrics, education, and social services. Both the senior author and the guest author have extensive experience in the field of mental retardation and it is a treat to get a distilled version of their experience in the form of a readable textbook.
Features: Definitions, biological factors, and environmental factors are all well covered. Psychiatric disorders and mental retardation, comprehensive services, and support services are well covered for all age groups, severity, and in various settings.
Assessment: Authors have covered all the key concepts related to mental retardation. This book has all there is to learn on the topic. While the medical management of various behavior/psychiatric problems is mentioned in some detail, the presentation lacks a systematic approach. This, however, is a small detail compared to the rich detail in other areas.

Rating

4 Stars! from Doody

Table of Contents:

	Preface
	The Nature of Mental Retardation
	Personality and Mental Retardation
	Biological Factors in Mental Retardation: Chromosomal and Genetic
	Nongenetic Biological Factors: Prenatal, Perinatal, and Postnatal
	Psychological Factors in Mental Retardation
	Introduction to Services and Supports
	Services and Supports to Children and Youth
	Services and Supports to Adults
	Maladaptive or "Challenging" Behavior: Its Nature Treatment

Interesting textbook: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book or Tasting Italy

In the Pursuit of Winning: Problem Gambling Theory, Research and Treatment

Author: Masood Zangeneh

Gambling is an underrecognized problem from both a clinical and a public health point of view. It is not uncommon for an adolescent or adult to participate in one form of gambling or another on a regular basis, be it the lottery, card playing for money, sports wagering, or gambling on electronic gaming devices. Nor is it uncommon for such participation to reach excessive or destructive proportions, with negative effects on the individual's psychological, social, economic, and family life. The results of the National Research Council's 2000 review of empirical studies suggest that 85% of adolescents report having gambled during their lifetime, with 73% of adolescents reporting having gambled in the past year. Despite gains in knowledge concerning the correlates and risk factors associated with severe gambling problems among youth during the past ten years, a general lack of public and parental awareness exists. This raises serious mental health and public policy concerns.

Written from an international perspective, this book covers gambling research and interventions in the following categories: role of helpline services; a Jungian–transpersonal approach to treatment; cognitive therapy for problem gambling; pharmacological interventions for problem gambling; desensitization/biofeedback as treatment for problem gambling; binge gambling; pathological gambling; past and contemporary aboriginal peoples' experiences with gambling; problem–gambling counselor certification; measurement of outcomes in problem gambling treatment; overview of teen gambling–related issues from leading researchers.