The Nature and Treatment of Mental Disorders

Abstract

Those who have met Dom Thomas Moore at his psychiatric clinic in Washington, or on his visits to this country, are aware that he brings an unusual equipment to his work. He is a Priest as well as a Psychiatrist, and has a wide personal culture and a deep love of his fellow human beings. His attitude is therefore less negative and more constructive than that of certain writers. For him, the Universe is governed by a definite code of moral laws to which he believes his patients should be brought to conform, and incidentally will be much happier if they do conform. This distinctive approach gives a fresh aspect to the clinical studies which occupy much of his book, although the ground covered will be familiar to students of psychiatric literature. He is neither narrow nor prudish, and his patients can look for complete understanding of human frailty. The author writes well and clearly and shows a balanced and practical outlook in his handling of cases. Rarely have the composite methods of a modern psychiatric team been so well demonstrated. A chapter