Case studies in abnormal psychology - Thomas F. Oltmanns

Connect the Theory to Real Human Stories! Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology takes mental disorders from the realm of theory into the complex reality of human lives. In all, you’ll find 22 in–depth cases that focus on symptoms, the client’s history, treatment, and the outcome. These cases illustrate a variety of problems, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders and various disorders of childhood and aging. They also allow students to see how theories in the field can be applied to real–life problems. Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology, 5/e

• Provides detailed descriptions and examples of a range of clinical problems.


• Illustrates the many ways in which these problems can be viewed and treated.


• Discusses the evidence concerning epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of the disorders in question.


• Includes 10 to 15–year follow–ups for some patients, describing their response to treatment and long–term social adjustment.


• Features a completely new case of bulimia nervosa treated by cognitive–behavior therapy in group format.

How the Case Studies are Structured

• Each case is presented in depth, with a full chapter devoted to each patient.


• Many cases include excerpts of dialog from therapy interviews.


• Each case is compared with DSM–IV diagnostic criteria for relevant disorders.


• Some treatment failures are presented as well as successes.


• New discussions are provided concerning gender–related issues such as the impact of rape and sexual abuse, as well as relational distress and depression.


• All cases end with a discussion of etiology and treatment that illustrates the application of research to individual clients’ problems, and alerts readers to important gaps in our knowledge of abnormal psychology.