The menstrual cycle and its disorders—Influence of nutrition, exercise and neurotransmitters :...
1
654 BOOKREUEWS a refreshing mix of psychologists and psychiatrists. They are intended to be read in the context of Lemer et al.‘s chapter advocating his ‘goodness of fit model of person-context relations’. Only with this perspective, claim the editors, can we “progress beyond the level of the description and classification of problems to the understanding of developmental processes and preventative factors”. T~dIISXtiOIEi~ models are by no means new, but the authors’ arguments and infectious enthusiasm convinced me that their up-front application to psychopathology would be valuable. The topics are: major depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, separation anxiety disorder and agoraphobia, social and simple phobias, obsessional- compulsive disorder, overanxious/generalised anxiety disorders, PTSD, conduct disorder and anti-social personality, mental retardation, alcohol abuse and dependence, and obesity. Bach chapter combines classification and description of the disorder with recent research findings, enriched by colourfui case examples and ideas for future developments. There is a bridging section relating to the ch~ld~adult continuity, but little information on treatment. Sections are prefaced by an editors’ comment in which they remind readers of the insights of the dcvclopmental perspective, compensating for some of the more wayward authors where this seems to appear as an afterthought. On the whole, the ‘child’ chapters demonstrate more facility with continuity issues, integrating the theme into the whole. This adult--child difference in perspective seems an historical bias, and thus in itself a justification for this book. In sum, this book works, both from the point of view of illustrating the advantages of a longitudinal approach, and in presenting some key chapters on child and adult psychopathology. CAROLYNJOHN K. M. PIRKE, M. WUMXE and U. SCHWEKZER (Eds): The Menstrual Cycle and Its Disorders-fnjuence of Nutrition, Exercise and Neura~ransmitier.~. Springer, Berlin (1989). viii + 192 pp. DM 98. Dieting related behaviour is common in modern a&ent societies-‘one can never be too rich or too thin’. This behaviour frequently becomes problematic, and one girl in 200 between the ages of 12 and 20 develops anorexia nervosa. The incidence of bulimia is estimated to be about five times this. Exercise is frequently used as an aid to weight control in these conditions. Each of these behaviours may separately cause menstrual disturbance, and this book examines the relative contributions of each and the mechanisms involved. The book consists of a series of papers delivered at a symposium on the subject in 1988, and the reader needs at least a nodding acquaintance with the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the menstrual cycle. The contents proceed logically from animal to human studies, and from basic mechanisms to disturbances associated with dieting and exercise. However, I feel the book is rather weighty to be read through at a sitting and that its value is more as a reference volume. The final chapter provides a useful summary of the main points made throughout the book. An important finding is that menstrual disturbances are more common than one would suspect on the basis of menstrual cycle history alone, both in bulimic women and in athletes. The long term consequences of this for fertility and especially for osteoporosis need to be addressed, as do the effects on mental and social functioning. Odd points of interest also emerge from these papers, such as that vegetarians have shorter cycles than meat-eaters! Overall, this is a contribution to the academic rather than the practical behavioural literature. However, as the understanding of any disorder is an important step in designing effective treatment, these presentations may also be of interest to practising clinicians. ANNE WARD C. BASS (Ed.): Somarisation-Physical Symptoms and Psychological Illness. Blackwell, Oxford (1990). xii + 339 pp. f35.00 Almost 20% of patients presenting to general practitioners will consult for somatic complaints, which are actually related to a psychiatric disorder. Many of these problems go unrecognised and untreated. High percentages of patients attending gynaecology, cardiac and gastrointestinal clinics will have a psychological disorder rather than a physical illness. It is surprising that so little attention has been paid to the somatic presentation of psychological illness until recently. This book reviews the concept of somatisation, its classification, assessment and management. Individual chapters cover chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, cardiorespiratory syndromes, hysterical conversion, gynaecological complaints and dermatoiogical conditions. The contributions all write clearly and know the field well. The book covers both research evidence and clinical considerations, and is invaluable for psychiatrists and psychologists working in medical settings. STIRLINGMWREY JOHN ARNOLD, IVAN T. ROBERTSON and CARY L. C&PFK Work Psychology-Understanding Human Beha~iour in the Workptnce. Pitman, London (1991). xvi + 329 pp. E16.99. The authors of this book should be congrat~ated on producing an excellent textbook in occupational psychology. It is extremely readable, attractively presented, and almost completely free from jargon. Consisting of 17 chapters each approx. IS pages long, the book attempts to cover a comprehensive range of topics pertaining to the world of work. One should not underestimate the value of this book to the student and the general reader in bringing together a vast amount of organised and digested knowledge in an increasingly important branch of applied psychology. And now, a few minor criticisms. I felt that the book should begin with ‘Work Psychology: its origins, subject matter and methods’, rather than ‘Perspectives on work organisations’. Chapter 2, ‘Concepts of the person in work psychology’, appears to be too broad in the context of this book. While Chapter 4 on basic statistics is invaluable to most readers, I did not find that a complete, separate chapter on ‘Minority groups at work’ was necessary. 1 had some difficulty with the chapter heading ‘Leadership’. A more empirical treatment of leadership as a management role would have been appropriate. Are trade unions of no importance in the workplace today? No mention of them here.
Transcript of The menstrual cycle and its disorders—Influence of nutrition, exercise and neurotransmitters :...
654 BOOK REUEWS
a refreshing mix of psychologists and psychiatrists. They are intended to be read in the context of Lemer et al.‘s chapter advocating his ‘goodness of fit model of person-context relations’. Only with this perspective, claim the editors, can we “progress beyond the level of the description and classification of problems to the understanding of developmental processes and preventative factors”. T~dIISXtiOIEi~ models are by no means new, but the authors’ arguments and infectious enthusiasm convinced me that their up-front application to psychopathology would be valuable. The topics are: major depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, separation anxiety disorder and agoraphobia, social and simple phobias, obsessional- compulsive disorder, overanxious/generalised anxiety disorders, PTSD, conduct disorder and anti-social personality, mental retardation, alcohol abuse and dependence, and obesity. Bach chapter combines classification and description of the disorder with recent research findings, enriched by colourfui case examples and ideas for future developments. There is a bridging section relating to the ch~ld~adult continuity, but little information on treatment. Sections are prefaced by an editors’ comment in which they remind readers of the insights of the dcvclopmental perspective, compensating for some of the more wayward authors where this seems to appear as an afterthought. On the whole, the ‘child’ chapters demonstrate more facility with continuity issues, integrating the theme into the whole. This adult--child difference in perspective seems an historical bias, and thus in itself a justification for this book. In sum, this book works, both from the point of view of illustrating the advantages of a longitudinal approach, and in presenting some key chapters on child and adult psychopathology.
CAROLYNJOHN
K. M. PIRKE, M. WUMXE and U. SCHWEKZER (Eds): The Menstrual Cycle and Its Disorders-fnjuence of Nutrition, Exercise and Neura~ransmitier.~. Springer, Berlin (1989). viii + 192 pp. DM 98.
Dieting related behaviour is common in modern a&ent societies-‘one can never be too rich or too thin’. This behaviour frequently becomes problematic, and one girl in 200 between the ages of 12 and 20 develops anorexia nervosa. The incidence of bulimia is estimated to be about five times this. Exercise is frequently used as an aid to weight control in these conditions. Each of these behaviours may separately cause menstrual disturbance, and this book examines the relative contributions of each and the mechanisms involved.
The book consists of a series of papers delivered at a symposium on the subject in 1988, and the reader needs at least a nodding acquaintance with the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the menstrual cycle. The contents proceed logically from animal to human studies, and from basic mechanisms to disturbances associated with dieting and exercise. However, I feel the book is rather weighty to be read through at a sitting and that its value is more as a reference volume. The final chapter provides a useful summary of the main points made throughout the book. An important finding is that menstrual disturbances are more common than one would suspect on the basis of menstrual cycle history alone, both in bulimic women and in athletes. The long term consequences of this for fertility and especially for osteoporosis need to be addressed, as do the effects on mental and social functioning. Odd points of interest also emerge from these papers, such as that vegetarians have shorter cycles than meat-eaters! Overall, this is a contribution to the academic rather than the practical behavioural literature. However, as the understanding of any disorder is an important step in designing effective treatment, these presentations may also be of interest to practising clinicians.
ANNE WARD
C. BASS (Ed.): Somarisation-Physical Symptoms and Psychological Illness. Blackwell, Oxford (1990). xii + 339 pp. f35.00
Almost 20% of patients presenting to general practitioners will consult for somatic complaints, which are actually related to a psychiatric disorder. Many of these problems go unrecognised and untreated. High percentages of patients attending gynaecology, cardiac and gastrointestinal clinics will have a psychological disorder rather than a physical illness. It is surprising that so little attention has been paid to the somatic presentation of psychological illness until recently. This book reviews the concept of somatisation, its classification, assessment and management. Individual chapters cover chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, cardiorespiratory syndromes, hysterical conversion, gynaecological complaints and dermatoiogical conditions. The contributions all write clearly and know the field well. The book covers both research evidence and clinical considerations, and is invaluable for psychiatrists and psychologists working in medical settings.
STIRLING MWREY
JOHN ARNOLD, IVAN T. ROBERTSON and CARY L. C&PFK Work Psychology-Understanding Human Beha~iour in the Workptnce. Pitman, London (1991). xvi + 329 pp. E16.99.
The authors of this book should be congrat~ated on producing an excellent textbook in occupational psychology. It is extremely readable, attractively presented, and almost completely free from jargon. Consisting of 17 chapters each approx. IS pages long, the book attempts to cover a comprehensive range of topics pertaining to the world of work.
One should not underestimate the value of this book to the student and the general reader in bringing together a vast amount of organised and digested knowledge in an increasingly important branch of applied psychology.
And now, a few minor criticisms. I felt that the book should begin with ‘Work Psychology: its origins, subject matter and methods’, rather than ‘Perspectives on work organisations’. Chapter 2, ‘Concepts of the person in work psychology’, appears to be too broad in the context of this book. While Chapter 4 on basic statistics is invaluable to most readers, I did not find that a complete, separate chapter on ‘Minority groups at work’ was necessary. 1 had some difficulty with the chapter heading ‘Leadership’. A more empirical treatment of leadership as a management role would have been appropriate. Are trade unions of no importance in the workplace today? No mention of them here.
