Despite tremendous strides in knowledge gained in the field, psychiatric disorders continue to present challenges to patients, caregivers, those with family histories of mental illness, and even physicians. This layperson"s guide is filled with essential, comprehensive information on the gamut of adult psychiatric disorders.Aimed at patients and caregivers-including family, friends, professional caregivers-this down-to-earth volume provides clear, in-depth advice on understanding and dealing with stress and difficult patient behaviors. Noted psychiatrist Richard W. Roukema covers such topics as heredity"s role in alcohol and drug dependency, marital troubles, psychiatric problems common among the elderly, and stress management, as well as emotional illness versus mental illness (for example, he helps readers recognize the difference between acute anxiety prompted by temporary stress and more serious conditions that require psychiatric treatment). In explaining a wide range of illnesses, Dr. Roukema makes this work reader-friendly by including definitions of psychiatric terms and explaining the effects and uses of the myriad of medications now available. Vital for family, friends, and those with psychiatric disorders, this book is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the workings of the human mind. And its discussions of medications, biological theories, and research on short-term therapies also make it a helpful textbook for use in practical nursing and nurse"s aide classrooms.