Encyclopedia of Mental Health, Three-Volume Set [Hardcover]

The encyclopedia editors and contributors are academics who are acknowledged experts in their fields. Their names and affiliations appear at the beginning of each article. Most of the material here is new, but some entries are reprinted from The Encyclopedia of Human Behavior (Academic, 1994), which is noted at the end of the articles. The three volumes contain alphabetically arranged articles that are 10 to 20 pages long. Each article begins with an outline and a glossary defining terms as they are used specifically within the text. All articles have bibliographies, primarily citing scholarly and professional publications. Each volume contains the table of contents for the entire set and instructions for using the encyclopedia. There is a detailed index in volume 3. Using the index ensures finding all relevant material on a given subject area since the articles cover broad areas. Cross-references also direct users to related material.

The articles cover a wide range of subjects. As one would expect, there are entries for various disorders and therapies: Alzheimer's disease, behavior therapy, mood disorders, to name a few. Other entries examine traits such as charisma and shyness or discuss problems associated with substances like alcohol and caffeine. Numerous articles focus on the mental health aspects of stressful situations--bereavement, chronic illness, commuting. Neurology is treated in articles such as brain scanning/neuroscanning. In his preface, the editor states that particular attention has also been paid to "the family and developmental context for mental health and impairment," evident in articles like family therapy, child sexual abuse, and divorce.

This is a fine encyclopedia with a great deal of excellent information on subjects of interest to both professional and educated lay readers. Academic, health science, and large public libraries will find it very useful.