The Therapeutic Management of Psychological Diseases is a practical work about the theory and practice of supportive psychotherapy. That is, the care of patients with conditions "that require support, rehabilitation, and palliation which relieves suf fering, prevents complications, and allows the patient to function at or near capacity." Treatment is directed to the patients' behavior, and oriented toward reality and practical action.
Although written for psychiatrists, the authors recognize that supportive care is not limited exclusively to psychiatrists. They have included methods of aiding various community sources of support (other physicians, priests, social workers, etc) in planning supportive care. They have written their book in a manner which can be easily understood; it is free-flowing and unencumbered by theoretical rhetoric.
Primarily, the book deals with the treatment of the chronic schizophrenic; however, the authors suggest that the same techniques may well