Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
www.pharmpress.com/fact
Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2007; 12: 226–7
Reviewed by H F Coelho, Exeter, UK
This book provides an overview of CAM in relation to mental health care. There are few books in this specific area, and this is a good example because it covers the topic broadly whilst still being clear and easy to use. The wide range of academics and health professionals contributing to the book (including psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, herbalists and acupuncturists) enhances its accessibility. It is most useful as a general resource for healthcare professionals and students, and a good source of basic information for academics. In fact, the large contribution made by James H Lake (as an editor, and also as a contributor for several of the chapters) indicates that this book is basically a similar, yet more accessible variant of his other recent book,1 which focused on ‘integrative medicine’ rather than CAM.
Part I of the book examines the conceptual, historical, philosophical and ethical aspects of CAM and psychiatry (including safety of CAM and medico-legal issues), without becoming too theoretically dense for the average healthcare professional or student. Part II provides reviews of the research evidence and clinical mental health ‘guidelines’, for (i) a selection of Nonconven-tional Biological Treatments (Western Herbal Medicines, Nutritional Supplements, Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, Chinese Medical Treatments, Homeopathy and Ayurvedic Treatments), (ii) for Lifestyle and Women’s Issues (Nutrition, Physical Activity and Exercise, and Integrative Medicine for Depression in Women), and (iii) for Spirituality, Mindfulness and Mind-Body Practices (Mindfulness Training and Meditation, Religious Beliefs, Spirituality and Intention, Yoga, and Qigong).
In each chapter, an appropriate amount of research is presented, and in most instances the limitations of the research are covered. However, the conclusions/guidelines presented in each chapter are general summaries, and the authors seem to shy away from interpreting the evidence, offering opinions, or drawing real conclusions. Given the detailed ‘disclaimer’ in the introduction to the book, it seems that the lack of interpretation is protection: readers may equate opinion with personal recommendation. There is no problem with this per se, the problem is that the attempt to provide ‘guidelines’ that do not ‘guide’ is somewhat strange. However, if taken as a collection of essays aimed at providing and summarising information but left to the reader to interpret, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in CAM for mental health care.
