Textbook of Evolutionary Psychiatry: The origins of Psychopathology
In the past couple of decades, studies investigating the genetic background of psychiatric disorders have mushroomed. Research into the brain mechanisms and regions of the brain involved in certain dysfunctions have greatly improved our knowledge of the relationship between brain pathology and psychopathology. By contrast, we know far less about 'why' certain individuals remain vulnerable to psychiatric disease at all, and whether they were selected by evolutionary forces or simply...
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In the past couple of decades, studies investigating the genetic background of psychiatric disorders have mushroomed. Research into the brain mechanisms and regions of the brain involved in certain dysfunctions have greatly improved our knowledge of the relationship between brain pathology and psychopathology. By contrast, we know far less about 'why' certain individuals remain vulnerable to psychiatric disease at all, and whether they were selected by evolutionary forces or simply by-products of other species-specific characteristics. This comprehensive book presents a new integrative approach to understanding psychopathological conditions - an approach that embraces cognition, emotion, behaviour, and their nature-nurture interactions. Central to this approach is the introduction of human evolution into the psychiatric model - psychiatrists need to know why the human mind and brain evolved in the way it did. In three parts, the book presents a comprehensive account of human brain evolution in terms of physical features and function, showing how these relate to our current understanding of psychopathology. Accessibly written, the book shows how a consideration of evolutionary factors in psychiatry can improve our understanding and treatment of specific disorders such as suicidal behaviour, anorexia, and depression. Doody Review Services Reviewer:Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)Description:This superb book covers the evolutionary underpinnings and basis of psychopathology. As Theodosius Dobzhansky so elegantly stated, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." The point of this book is that nothing in the study of behavior or abnormal behavior, that is psychopathology, makes sense except in the light of evolution. Written and edited by a scholar in the field, this book is a significant contribution to psychiatry and should be essential reading for any psychiatrist in training.Purpose:The purpose, according to the author, is to have a "radical revision" in psychiatrists' understanding of the evolutionary basis of psychopathology. What no longer can be ignored, if psychiatry wants to survive as a medical discipline, is the evolutionary causes of "cognition, emotion and behavior, that is, the phylogeny of human makeup and the adaptive value of evolved mechanisms, of which psychiatric conditions often represent extremes of variation.Audience:The intended audience includes psychiatrists and psychologists. Anyone who wishes to understand where psychopathology fits in with biology and evolution should read this book.Features:Part 1 of the book's three parts focuses on fundamental issues, with excellent chapters on the principles of evolution's contributions to psychology and genetics; neuroanatomy; human history; causes of psychopathology; and psychiatric assessment. Part 2 covers psychiatric disorders in light of evolution. In part 3, the paradox of suicidal and self-injurious behavior in relation to evolution is covered as well as psychotherapy and forensic issues. Each chapter ends with a list of suggested reading. The reference section includes relevant and timely citations of the scientific literature and the index is helpful. Assessment:This is an outstanding new book on evolutionary psychopathology. This is a much needed book that helps put psychiatry in its proper place in biology and psychology. Psychiatrists need to read this book!
Introduction 1Pt. I Theoretical background1 Principles of evolutionary theory, evolutionary psychology, and genetics 112 The human brain: Anatomy, evolution, and function 433 Human life history 734 Causes of psychopathology 895 Psychiatric assessment 107Pt. II Psychiatric disorders6 Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders 1317 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder 1438 Dementia 1579 Substance abuse and substance dependence 16910 Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders 18511 Affective disorders 20312 Anxiety disorders 22113 Eating disorders 23914 Personality disorders 251Pt. III Special topics15 Suicidal and self-injurious behaviour 27116 Forensic aspects of psychiatric disorders 28317 Psychotherapy 301Epilogue: The future of psychiatry 315References 319Index 379
\ Reviewer: Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)\ Description: This superb book covers the evolutionary underpinnings and basis of psychopathology. As Theodosius Dobzhansky so elegantly stated, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." The point of this book is that nothing in the study of behavior or abnormal behavior, that is psychopathology, makes sense except in the light of evolution. Written and edited by a scholar in the field, this book is a significant contribution to psychiatry and should be essential reading for any psychiatrist in training.\ Purpose: The purpose, according to the author, is to have a "radical revision" in psychiatrists' understanding of the evolutionary basis of psychopathology. What no longer can be ignored, if psychiatry wants to survive as a medical discipline, is the evolutionary causes of "cognition, emotion and behavior, that is, the phylogeny of human makeup and the adaptive value of evolved mechanisms, of which psychiatric conditions often represent extremes of variation."\ Audience: The intended audience includes psychiatrists and psychologists. Anyone who wishes to understand where psychopathology fits in with biology and evolution should read this book.\ Features: "Part 1 of the book's three parts focuses on fundamental issues, with excellent chapters on the principles of evolution's contributions to psychology and genetics; neuroanatomy; human history; causes of psychopathology; and psychiatric assessment. Part 2 covers psychiatric disorders in light of evolution. In part 3, the paradox of suicidal and self-injurious behavior in relation to evolution is covered as well as psychotherapy and forensic issues. Each chapter ends with a list of suggested reading. The reference section includes relevant and timely citations of the scientific literature and the index is helpful. "\ Assessment: This is an outstanding new book on evolutionary psychopathology. This is a much needed book that helps put psychiatry in its proper place in biology and psychology. Psychiatrists need to read this book!\ \
