Unmasking Psychological Symptoms: How Therapists Can Learn to Recognize the Psychological Presentation of Medical Disorders

"Unmasking Psychological Symptoms: How Therapists Can Learn to Recognize the Psychological Presentation of Medical Disorders is designed to help therapists bridge the gaps in their expertise between psychology and medicine so as to prepare them to better understand their patients and have a higher index of suspicion about medical factors that may affect them. The tone and scope render Unmasking Psychological Symptoms an ideal read for therapists.... Schildkrout does an excellent job throughout the book of initially presenting information in the psychological manner that a therapist might typically consider it and then elucidating what the same information may suggest from a medical perspective. Her approach does not feel condescending to a nonmedically trained therapist but rather offers a different perspective that may simply result in a desire to be more thoughtful in clinical practice... Unmasking Psychological Symptoms makes an excellent companion to psychology and psychiatry textbooks, especially those related to health psychology and consultation–liaison psychiatry." (PsycCRITIQUES, May 16, 2012, Vol. 57, Release 19, Article 8)

"In this practical and easy to read volume, Unmasking Psychological Symptoms, Dr. Barbara Schildkout, an experienced psychiatrist, offers both medical and non-medical psychotherapists a much-needed overview of the complex interrelationship between physical and psychological disorders. She shows how psychological symptoms can easily mask underlying medical illness and mislead even those of us with the best training and intentions. She underscores the need to be vigilant in our clinical formulations, always on alert for signs and symptoms of medical disorders. One of the strengths of this volume is the author's use of abundant clinical vignettes to illustrate her points. She uses these cases to take the reader through important lines of inquiry that are essential for clinicians. Reading this volume will help us not be seduced by our psychological theories and lead us down the dangerous path of ignoring the contribution of underlying medical illness. I can wholeheartedly recommend this excellent volume to all who practice psychotherapy whether a student, early career professional, or experienced clinician."
—Jeffrey J. Magnavita, Ph.D., ABPP; Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology; Past President, Division of Psychotherapy, American Psychological Association; Member of the APA Clinical Treatment Guidelines Advisory Committee