You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Many of the numerous popular and semi-popular books written about facts and theories of dynamic psychiatry have confused rather than enlightened the reader. Dr. Hinsie's book stands out as a happy exception. His vast experience in psychiatry combined with his facility in writing result in a competent and systematic presentation, and his convincing style will enable the lay reader to understand the meaning of neuroses and psychoses. He bases the book on the premise that psychiatry is the one branch of medicine most understandable to the public and on the fact that psychiatric treatment cannot be accomplished by the doctor alone, but calls for closest co-operation between patient and physician. Therefore Dr. Hinsie proceeds to help the lay reader to know more about himself so that he may be better equipped to realize the differences between healthy adjustment and disease or maladjustment.
The first nine chapters of the book abound in illustrations which clearly demonstrate to the reader how emotions may cause illness. Dr. Hinsie explains how Freud's contributions make human behaviour more easily understood, and throughout the book emphasizes the complex factors in the individual's environment which foster the development of his specific neurotic reaction.
In the second part of his book he gives a clear picture of the different types of psychoses, schizophrenia, epilepsy, alcoholism, and psychopathic personalities. For those who need an authentic account of the theories and facts with which psychiatry deals this book will be a real guide.