| Abstract: | ![]()
Reviews the book, Psychopathology and psychotherapy: From diagnosis to treatment, edited by Len Sperry and Jon Carlson (see record 1993-97172-000). Alfred Adler is perhaps the most unjustly overlooked theorist in our field, and deserves wider recognition and greater integration into the clinical mainstream. Such is the admirable goal of Sperry and Carlson's effort. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to achieve that goal. This is an edited text in which a variety of distinguished Adlerians have been asked to address specific DSM categories. In each case the chapters begin with a review of the category in question, typically including a summary of diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, course, associated problems, various etiological positions, and so forth. This non-Adlerian material consumes an enormous proportion of the book. The intent was to produce not only an Adlerian reference source, but also a text for undergraduate and graduate psychopathology courses in all mental health disciplines, as well as interns and residents. It attempts to do too much, and fails to do enough. It attempts to appeal too widely, and fails to appeal at all. In nearly all of the chapters the coverage is insufficiently comprehensive to actually serve as part of an abnormal psychology textbook; this is particularly true in the areas of etiological theory and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
