CRC SLEEP PSYCHSMTC MED PDF

Preface

The topic of sleep medicine has emerged during the last few decades as an area of intense medical and scientific interest. It also reflects the philosophy of the editors that the aspects of psychosomatics should be well understood so as to produce skilled sleep practitioners. Sleep and psychosomatic medicine is an intensely personal, inherently interesting, and fascinating field of medical science. Its subject matter touches all facets of our health and well-being, particularly in the sleep field; it overlaps with neuropharmacology, pharmacology, psychiatry, basic and clinical medical disciplines. We have striven to present valuable chapters in order to make the reading enjoyable as well as meaningful.

The chapters have been written by experts in the field in order to provide physicians of widely ranging interests and abilities with a highly readable exposition of the principal results, which include numerous well-articulated examples and a rich discussion of applications. In particular, we have tried to indicate how psychosomatics can be applied to sleep medicine, and vice versa.

This book is intended primarily for sleep rese archers, general and neuropharmacologists, psychiatrists, and physicians who evaluate and treat sleep disorders. In addition, the volume will be extremely useful for pharmacologists, pharmacists, medical students, and clinicians of various disciplines who want to get an overall grasp of both sleep and psychosomatic medicine. Nineteen chapters have been written for this purpose by authors who are experts in their fields. The chapters have been written in a readable and easily understood manner. The book presents topics of current interest, ranging from attachment disorders to personality disorders and stress and psychosomatic factors implicated in various medical illnesses.

This book explores many of these new and exciting developments in the field of sleep and psychosomatics. Unfortunately, it is impossible in a volume such as this to include all recent advances – but that is what makes this field unique and such an exciting field to study and read and write about.

New concepts are discussed in this book. The reader may feel confident that the information presented is based on the most recent literature on sleep and psychosomatic medicine. Furthermore, the importance of neuroimaging of sleep is stressed. It is our hope that we have succeeded in accomplishing this goal.

As usual, we welcome communications from our readers concerning this book, especially any errors or deficiencies that may remain.