This encyclopedia explores in depth diverse aspects of phobias, fears, and anxieties. Information on these subjects has developed along with our knowledge of other areas of mental health. Just as our understanding of the human psyche is far from complete, so too is our understanding of the origins and management of phobias, fears, and anxieties. This second edition explores additional life area…
Adoption is a constantly evolving institution that changes to fit the perceived needs of children who need families, whether they are healthy newborns, children in foster care, children from other countries, or children of all ages with special needs. In addition to the “triad” members of adopted children, adoptive parents, and birthparents, there are many others who are actively involved i…
Many people depend on prescribed medications such as benzodiazepines to cope with serious anxiety disorders, while others rely on narcotic pain medications to enable them to live relatively normal lives rather than being disabled by suffering from the severe pain that is caused by, for example, cancer, chronic back pain, or other debilitating conditions. In addition, others use stimulants to tr…
The Encyclopedia of Child Abuse reflects the struggle to define, prevent and treat this problem. Entries reflect the range of disciplines (including law, medicine, psychology, sociology, economics, history, education and others) that contribute to our understanding of child maltreatment as well as the scope of debate within and among disciplines. Where there is disagreement on a particular poin…
The digestion of food is necessary to sustain life. This fact is as true today, in the 21st century era of high technology and a dazzling array of newly approved medications and therapeutic medical devices, as it was millennia ago when humans actively hunted or farmed for the basic food that they needed in order to survive. Modern computerized equipment even the most remarkable medical discover…
In this book, my coauthor and I cover the key issues of alcoholism and alcohol abuse today, including the latest research on who are the major users and abusers (in terms of gender, age, and other factors), what are the effects of their use on themselves and others, and how alcoholism is treated. Medications are available for treatment, but the most effective means to resolve alcoholism is with…
The globally aging population and its problems and issues affect nearly everyone, directly or indirectly, whether a person is a senior citizen, a caregiving relative, a medical or health professional, or a citizen whose taxes pay for the programs and services that are needed by older individuals. In fact, many people fit more than one of these categories; for example, some individuals who are o…