ISBN: 0-9718923-4-2
Pages: 485
Size: 9 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches
Paperback
Publication date: 11/2002

Note from the author:  
      

          Mental Automatism, A conceptual journey into Psychosis is a reference manual of psychotic symptomatology.

          This book presents a unique perspective on psychosis not only for clinicians and researchers, but also for anyone who seek to have a fuller understanding of the mechanisms of this ailment.

          The book is comprised of four sections:
     
         1- A detailed introductory review of the historical concepts behind the psychiatric and neurologic theories pertaining to psychosis from early nineteenth century to twentieth century. This introduction will lead to one of the best encompassing theory on psychosis: Clerambault's theory of Mental Automatisms.

         2- A full English translation of the work of Gatian de Clerambault on automatisms. This famous French alienist established a symptomatic theory on psychosis which continues to this day to astonish readers through an elaborated descriptive language.

          3- An unprecedented exhaustive catalogue and description of all known psychotic symptoms. This unique catalogue includes a coherent classification of symptoms, but also the manner in which these symptoms can be recognized and elicited.

          4- An epilogue with a biography of Clerambault.

          The theory of Automatism is the most comprehensive theory of psychotic symptomatology to date. It increases the understanding of psychotic symptoms and their most intricate underlying processes. The catalogue of psychotic symptoms is a tool that I as the author continue to use on a regular basis. The book can also be very useful for families of individuals suffering from psychosis to better comprehend the various processes of psychosis.

                                                                                Paul Hriso MD