Jill Karatinos M.D.
Published: 2014-09-30
Total Pages: 155
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The Role of The Autonomic Nervous System in Psychiatry was published September 30, 2014, ISBN number: 978-0-578-13178-8. This book is written by a neuropsychiatrist in private practice (Jill Karatinos, M.D) to explore novel treatments for 18 complex patients. All patients have multiple psychiatric and medical diagnoses. This naturalistic study contrasts with academic clinical research in that the academic patients in randomized, placebo- controlled trials (RPCTs) are restricted to having only one diagnosis. This is rarely, if ever, encountered in clinical practice, where multiple diagnoses are the norm. Further, psychotherapy by the psychiatrist is included as part of the treatment here, whereas most psychotherapy nowadays is done by referral to psychologists or social workers. The second unusual feature of this book is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as a focus of treatment. The ANS is the brain and peripheral neural circuitry governing involuntary physiology, such as blood pressure, heart rate, immunity, respiration, digestion, urination, sleep, pain, addiction, fatigue, and sexual and endocrine function. Although the book aims to share information with doctors and neuroscientists, an average person curious about abnormal mental conditions would also enjoy peeking into a psychiatrist's office to see what can be done for these patients.