The First Interview, First Edition: First Edition - Hardcover

"An important how-to book on the diagnostic interview. Its elucidation of the medical model is particularly noteworthy. Comprehensive and eminently readable, the first edition of The First Interview has been at the top of my list of recommended readings to beginning psychiatry residents; senior medical students; psychology, social work and counseling students; and other trainees needing to sharpen their diagnostic interviewing skills. Dr. Morrison's years of experience as a crack interviewer and diagnostician come through in vivid colors. Thank you, Dr. Morrison, for making my job as an educator that much easier." --Sidney Zisook, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine "Complely updated for DSM-IV, The First Interview is an important how-to book on the diagnostic interview. I plan to put it at top of my list of recommended readings for senior medical students and any other trainees needing to acquire diagnostic interviewing skills." --Sidney Zisook, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine "Dr. Morrison has successfully sharpened the focus of the earlier edition of his important book, further enhancing the value and utility his work brings to all of us who are interested in the efficacy of the first interview and its relevancy to the DSM-IV." --Jule D. Moravec, Ph.D., Director, Western Region, Department of Veteran's Affairs, San Francisco "The first contact with a patient, more often than not, sets the stage for a useful relationship as well as a sensible therapeutic plan. This book systematically presents a methodology for doing this. The new edition incorporates the latest in diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV) which have become a necessity for people to use in ordering their ideas about patients as well as interacting with their colleagues. This is true whether the clinician is a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, minister, nurse or, for that matter, a non-psychiatric physician. Dr. Morrison writes extremely well. One doesn't need a dictionary to understand the concepts and the suggestions. A decent educational experience in the discipline of one's practice is quite adequate for total understanding of the text. Finally, I want to say something about Dr. Morrison's common sense and insightfulness. In discussing a variety of stressors that may occur in the life of a patient or client, he points out that these could be independent events, possibly causing some part of the disorder or that the disorder itself might cause these events. This indicates both an open mindedness as to the cause of behavioral and emotional problems. I believe that Dr. Morrison's practical viewpoint and intelligence shines through every page of this book. No reader could help but derive considerable benefit and knowledge." --George Winokur, M.D., The Paul W. Penningroth Professor of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine "A very valuable new text for beginners who are learning to do the first interview of a mental health patient. It has good tables, detailed outlines, and outstanding quotes that tell the reader what to say at any given time. The author also gives pointers on how to write up and conduct the interview....There are descriptions of selected psychiatric disorders plus a sample interview and a sample written report. The experienced clinician will find this text a good review and a nice reference outline. For me, reading this book sharpened my attention to several areas of my 'first interviews' that had gotten sloppy." --"American Journal of Psychiatry" "Beginning trainees, those preparing for certifying examinations of patients, and experienced clinicians could all benefit from reading this book....Clearly written, highly practical, and fully researched....The book is richly illustrated with verbatim examples of effective and ineffective patient-professional communications, with accompanying commentaries on the pros and cons of the verbal and nonverbal messages. Numerous examples show how some messages elicit cooperation and enhance the flow of information, whereas others turn patients off....This book has much to offer, and I will be happy to suggest it to my residents and colleagues." --"Hospital and Community Psychiatry" "This is very much a do-it-yourself manual. Its aim is to give practical guidance to the novice psychiatric interviewer, and in this it succeeds admirably....The book clearly reflects a wealth of experience--the number of clinical case examples is prodigious--as well as familiarity with theoretical issues and relevant research....May be recommended to the keenermedical student, to all psychiatric trainees and to those of their seniors who may wonder if their long-ago-acquired interviewing skills are as good as they might be." --"British Journal of Psychiatry" "This practical text guides readers in a thorough examination of the first interview a therapist conducts with a client, demonstrating how one can best approach, assess, and gain crucial diagnostic information during that first hour." --"Contemporary Psychology" "" "This is very much a do-it-yourself manual. Its aim is to give practical guidance to the novice psychiatric interviewer, and in this, it succeeds admirably." --"British Journal of Psychiatry" "In general, the book may be recommended to the keener medical student, to all psychiatric trainees and to those of their seniors who may wonder if their long-ago-aquired interviewing skills are as good as they might be." --"British Journal of Psychiatry" "Morrison.... also wrote D"SM-IV Made Easy: The Clinican's Guide to Diagnosis". Both books have the same practical hints that make them excellent training aids." -"-Clinical Gerontologist" "This is very much a do-it-yourself manual. Its aim is to give practical guidance to the novice psychiatric interviewer, and in this, it succeeds admirably." -- British Journal of Psychiatry "In general, the book may be recommended to the keener medical student, to all psychiatric trainees and to those of their seniors who may wonder if their long-ago-aquired interviewing skills are as good as they might be." -- British Journal of Psychiatry "Morrison.... also wrote D SM-IV Made Easy: The Clinican's Guide to Diagnosis . Both books have the same practical hints that make them excellent training aids." - -Clinical Gerontologist "This is very much a do-it-yourself manual. Its aim is to give practical guidance to the novice psychiatric interviewer, and in this, it succeeds admirably." --"British Journal of Psychiatry" "In general, the book may be recommended to the keener medical student, to all psychiatric trainees and to those of their seniors who may wonder if their long-ago-aquired interviewing skills are as good as they might be." --"British Journal of Psychiatry" "Morrison.... also wrote D"SM-IV Made Easy: The Clinican's Guide to Diagnosis," Both books have the same practical hints that make them excellent training aids." -"-Clinical Gerontologist"

Re-written to incorporate the recent changes in DSM-IV, this new edition of The First Interview updates a text on interviewing that is rapidly becoming a standard in the field. Covering the range of problems and personalities that interviewers typically encounter; this accessible volume describes in step-by-step detail how to elicit crucial diagnostic details from even the most challenging patient. All references to tables and criteria have been updated and brief criteria for the most used diagnoses rewritten in accordance with DSM-IV. Based on the most recent research, this book specifies what should be asked as well as the best methods for asking. These effective techniques come to life in the book's numerous illustrative clinical vignettes and conversational, jargon-free style. This book will be of great interest to professionals and students in psychiatry, psychology, social work, and other mental health professions, as well as practitioners in medicine and nursing.