Am I Okay? A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible

We all have times when we're feeling down, anxious, over the top, or on edge. Or times when we can't sleep, feel spaced out or disconnected from things, can't remember names or faces, can't get over past traumas.Problems like these are often a common and normal part of the aches and pains of everyday life. However, if these problems last long enough, are severe enough, or interfere with work or relationships, it may mean that you or someone you care about has a diagnosable and treatable disorder.Written by the same doctors who led the effort to produce the American Psychiatric Association'sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV) -- the reference text used by the majority of mental health professionals --Am I Okay?is a thorough, completely authoritative guide designed to help people identify whether or not they have a psychiatric condition as early as possible.Am I Okay?also includes the following features:* "Twenty Questions to Get You Started": a diagnostic screening questionnaire that covers most known psychiatric problems* Detailed chapters on a range of mental health issues, from Depression, Personality Disorders, and Alcohol and Substance Abuse to Anxiety, Dissociative Experiences, and more* Information about national organizations, support groups, and other sources of help, as well as suggested readings for more information

Allen Frances, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and former chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Duke University. Dr. Frances was chairman of the DSM-IV Task Force and is currently leading an effort to develop expert consensus practice guidelines for the different psychiatric disorders.