Wiley Facts and Fictions in Mental Health

Written in a lively and entertaining style, Facts and Fictions in Mental Health examines common conceptions and misconceptions surrounding mental health and its treatment. Each chapter focuses on a misconception and is followed by a discussion of related findings from scientific research.A compilation of the authors' "Facts and Fictions" columns written for Scientific American Mind, with the addition of six new columns exclusive to this bookWritten in a lively and often entertaining style, accessible to both the undergraduate and the interested general readerEach chapter covers a different "fiction" and allows readers to gain a more balanced and accurate view of important topics in mental healthThe six new columns examine myths and misconceptions of considerable interest and relevance to undergraduates in abnormal psychology coursesIntroductory material and references are included throughout the book Review “With frequent references to popular media, Arkowitz and Lilienfeld cover a wide range of topics ranging from popular myths regarding diagnoses and psychopathology to whether animal-assisted therapies help, what to do about road rage, the use of electroshock therapy today, and whether lunar cycles can trigger odd behaviors … this book does an excellent job at offering easily digestible consumer-oriented information that debunks many popular myths related to mental health.”  PsycCRITIQUES, 62: 40 (2017) From the Inside Flap Since 2006, Hal Arkowitz and Scott Lilienfeld have been debunking myths surrounding mental health and its treatment in their ‘Facts and Fictions’ column for Scientific American Mind. This book compiles their articles, augmented with original content on new trending issues in mental health awareness, in a single volume for the first time. Each chapter focuses on either a myth or a set of interrelated myths concerning mental illness and its treatment, and focuses on the scientific research that helps set the record straight on the reality of these psychological problems.Chapters cover topics that include suicide, pediatric bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), borderline personality disorder, the treatment of ADHD, and others. The authors provide introductory material throughout the book, and have added references to each column.Facts and Fictions in Mental Health seeks to inform and educate individuals about the research base and the realities of mental health problems and those who live with them. From the Back Cover Since 2006, Hal Arkowitz and Scott Lilienfeld have been debunking myths surrounding mental health and its treatment in their ‘Facts and Fictions’ column for Scientific American Mind. This book compiles their articles, augmented with original content on new trending issues in mental health awareness, in a single volume for the first time. Each chapter focuses on either a myth or a set of interrelated myths concerning mental illness and its treatment, and focuses on the scientific research that helps set the record straight on the reality of these psychological problems.Chapters cover topics that include suicide, pediatric bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), borderline personality disorder, the treatment of ADHD, and others. The authors provide introductory material throughout the book, and have added references to each column.Facts and Fictions in Mental Health seeks to inform and educate individuals about the research base and the realities of mental health problems and those who live with them. About the Author Hal Arkowitz is Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona. He has published widely in the areas of anxiety, depression, resistance to change, and psychotherapy. A past editor of the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, he maintains an active clinical