Thursday, January 1, 2009

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Mens Health or Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health: Lessons from the Harvard Men's Health Studies

Author: Harvey B Simon

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health assembles into a single volume a quarter-century's worth of hard-won knowledge about men's health -- knowledge that men need to lead longer, healthier lives.

More than twenty-five years ago, researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health began what have become the largest aggregate studies ever of men's health. Tracking 96,000 American men over decades, these studies provide the ultimate resource on what keeps men healthy -- and what doesn't. The result is The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health:

• Features the most current information on the health-preserving functions of diet, exercise, and over-the-counter drugs and supplements

• Gives straight answers to questions like when drinking alcohol is beneficial and when it's not

• Offers advice on behavior modification and stress control

• Includes all the crucial information on diseases that are particularly important to men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction, and kidney and bladder problems

• Provides an easy-to-navigate guide to the health-care system that gives balanced views on the benefits and drawbacks of common medical tests With the authority that only the world's largest and best-known medical school can provide, and the lively, clear presentation that is the hallmark of Harvard Men's Health Watch, the monthly newsletter edited by Dr. Simon, The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health is an essential reference for every man -- and for everyone who cares about a man's health.

Publishers Weekly

While it may not be as hot as the latest issue of Maxim, this new health guide should be required reading for any man between the ages of 18 and 80. The book's success is rooted in the no-nonsense approach of author Simon, the founding editor of the wildly successful Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter, who has long been urging men to get in shape and stay that way. Simon uses the results of three Harvard studies of more than 95,000 men over the last 25 years to provide five main "answers" (diet, exercise, aspirin and other supplements, moderate alcohol, and behavior modification and stress control) to five main "maladies of men" (disorders of the genital area, sexuality and reproduction, benign prostate disorders, prostate cancer, and kidney and bladder disorders). Along the way, he discusses other topics such as reproductive anatomy, vitamins, depression, Viagra and herbal medications. Though it's packed with provocative data (e.g., "every one of the ten leading causes of death in America is substantially more common in men than women"; "even committed teetotalers who review the data will have to agree that light to moderate drinking appears to reduce a man's risk of angina, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and ischemic stroke"), the book stays focused on Simon's main message: "Above all, men should concentrate on the basics, on the core issues that remain constant in a sea of change." (Sept.) Forecast: Neither overly serious nor laced with chirpy beer-and-babes humor, this tome should remain a steady seller after trendier books are gone. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

While this excellent men's health guide stands on its own, its research is based on the Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter and shares common goals with the Harvard Family Health Guide. Simon (medicine, Harvard Medical Sch.; Staying Well), the newsletter's founding editor, aims to empower men to improve their health and to motivate them to change lifestyles for the better. Basing his advice on three long-term Harvard studies that have tracked more than 96,000 men for many years, Simon reviews programs of diet, exercise, supplements, stress control, and medical care, and addresses frequently asked questions (e.g., should I take a daily aspirin?, is wine really good for me?, and should I have a PSA blood test?). Much like a very caring family doctor, Simon presents both sides of issues and lets the reader know what the evidence recommends as best practice. This comprehensive, informative, engagingly written guide is a standout among a slew of similar titles. Highly recommended for most consumer health collections. James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.



Table of Contents:
Prologue: The Time Has Come1
Part IIn Health and Sickness: The Unique Attributes of Men5
Chapter 1What Makes a Man?7
Chapter 2Questions and Answers: The Harvard Men's Health Studies29
Chapter 3Perils and Problems: Three Leading Killers of American Men40
Part IIWhat Keeps Men Healthy?69
Chapter 4The Answers: Diet71
Chapter 5The Answers: Exercise128
Chapter 6The Answers: Aspirin and Other Supplements161
Chapter 7An Answer for Some, a Peril for Others: Alcohol192
Chapter 8The Answers: Behavior Modification and Stress Control209
Part IIIThe Maladies of Men245
Chapter 9Disorders of the Penis, Scrotum, and Testicles247
Chapter 10Sexuality and Reproduction273
Chapter 11The Prostate: Benign Disorders324
Chapter 12Prostate Cancer347
Chapter 13Disorders of the Kidneys and Bladder408
Chapter 14Other Male Medical Problems430
Epilogue: Preventive Maintenance: Medical Care for Men463
Sources for More Information471
Index474

Read also More Guns Less Crime or The Bush Tragedy

Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: The Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment, and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder

Author: Gregory T Lombardo

Help and hope for parents of children who suffer from this prevalent and puzzling disorder

Bipolar disorder has an impact not only on children's mood and behavior but on the way they experience the world, and consequently on the way they think. The intensity with which a bipolar child perceives things can be the source of creativity and talent, but it can also be a source of confusion and disorganization. If parents can understand the effects of bipolar disorder on their child, they can help him or her to better navigate school, friendships, and family relationships.
Dr. Lombardo provides comprehensive information on:
Professional diagnosis Developmental issues Disorders that go hand-in-hand with bipolar, including ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder Effective treatment – including psychotherapy and medication
Understanding the Mind of the Bipolar Child is essential reading for all parents who want to better understand their child and provide support every step of the way.
Gregory T. Lombardo, M.D., Ph.D., is board certified in adult psychiatry, as well as in child and adolescent psychiatry, and is a diplomate of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is highly trained and experienced in the treatment of children with bipolar disorder. His practice includes biological diagnosis, clinical psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic techniques. He also collaborates closely with psychologists and other therapists in the treatment on children with this disorder. Additionally, he has a background in teaching and writing literature at the college and secondary-school level.

The Psychiatric Times - Amy E. West

Childhood bipolar disorder is a devastating illness that affects emotional, social, and cognitive development. In recent years, increased attention devoted to the study of bipolar disorder in childhood has resulted in greater information regarding the cause, phenomenology, and treatment of the disorder. However, despite improved understanding and awareness, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children is still plagued by confusion and misunderstanding because of the complex and diverse presentations of the condition, difficulties in diagnosis, and overlap with other disorders. The aim of Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child is to provide a comprehensive overview of bipolar disorder in childhood, including diagnosis, developmental issues, common co-occurring disorders, and treatment options. What is most unique about this book, in comparison with others that discuss diagnostic issues and treatments, is that it focuses on considering bipolar disorder within a developmental framework, informed mostly by psychodynamic principles. The emphasis on development leaves the reader with a comprehensive and integrated notion of how symptoms of bipolar disorder interact dynamically with other personal characteristics and contextual variables of the child in affecting his or her developmental trajectory. The book is divided into 3 parts: 'Diagnosis,' 'Development,' and 'Treatment.'

Part I focuses on the complexities of diagnosing bipolar disorder in children. The author outlines clearly the types of symptoms that suggest a bipolar spectrum disorder and then discusses the different types of bipolar disorder. A strength of this section is the attention paid to the complications encountered when diagnosing bipolar disorder, including different sources of information, the varying spectrum of the disorder, the varying age at onset, and overlapping conditions. Part II, the longest and most involved section, undertakes a comprehensive exploration of bipolar disorder within the developmental context of the individual child. This section is organized into the developmental periods of infancy, toddlerhood, school age, preadolescence, early adolescence, adolescence, and late adolescence. For each stage, the important developmental milestones that are optimally achieved are discussed, as well as crucial transitions that the child must negotiate during each stage. The author impressively integrates information about normative development, individual differences, interpersonal relationships, and identity issues into a fluid and thoughtful account of the development of a bipolar spectrum illness over the course of childhood and adolescence. Concepts are illustrated using detailed case examples and formulations that help the reader integrate and consolidate the information presented.

Part II concludes with a detailed explanation of disorders that commonly accompany bipolar disorder and how the co-occurrence may affect development, prognosis, and treatment.

Part III discusses the various treatment options available to children with bipolar disorder and their families. Different kinds of providers are discussed, as well as the types of therapy 'individual, group, and family' that are used and how these therapies work to alleviate the suffering of children with bipolar disorder and their families. This book is highly recommended as an excellent resource for parents of patients and for health care professionals who work with children and families affected by bipolar disorder. In particular, the book will benefit those who want to understand the disorder's emergence within a comprehensive developmental framework. (May 1, 2007)

Leigh Mihlrad - Library Journal

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, with its alternating highs and lows, is one of the most frequently diagnosed mental health illnesses in children and adolescents. It can be harder to diagnose in children than adults and can often be misdiagnosed. While many books and resources exist for bipolar disorder, fewer deal with pediatric bipolar disorder specifically, though this year has seen an increase in titles (e.g., Demitri Papolos and Janice Papolos's The Bipolar Child, 3d ed., and Gianni Faedda and Nancy Austin's Parenting a Bipolar Child). The authors of these books, both child psychiatrists, approach their topic differently. Greenberg assumes the first-person perspective and writes in a conversational style, sharing many stories from her practice, which makes the disorder seem less scary. She describes not only the experiences of her patients but also those of her patients' parents, as well as touches on medication, related illnesses, and therapy.

Drawing on his experiences as both a child psychiatrist and a bipolar sufferer, Lombardo divides his work into three sections: "Diagnosis," "Development," and "Treatment." He addresses various age groups, from infants to late adolescents, and explores broader topics such as family relations. The two appendixes and the glossary do a good job of explaining potentially confusing topics, e.g., common medications taken by bipolar children. Bipolar Kidsis recommended for public libraries. Understandingwould be better suited for academic or health science libraries.



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