Neuroscience for Psychologists and Other Mental Health Professionals: Promoting Well-Being and Treating Mental Illness

As researchers learn more about the neuroscience and neurobiology of mental disorders, the prevailing understanding of how to treat these conditions is changing rapidly. This book harnesses cutting-edge research about how neuroscience integrated with recent findings in immunology can explain behavioral syndromes and describes nonpharmacological approaches for ameliorating psychic distress and promoting wellbeing. The text discusses the pros and cons of using pharmaceuticals for treating different categories of mental distress in adults and children while illuminating key developments in alternative approaches to treatment—encompassing lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise, and strong interpersonal relationships—that have value and can lead to improved outcomes without medication. These new approaches are discussed as additions to the other research-validated techniques that are already offered in the therapeutic community.