The purpose of this book is to demystify the evaluation and management of common psychological disorders and psychosocial issues which impact all realms of medical and mental health practice. These types of issues are often seen as "medical quicksand" by treating professionals, employers, and insurers alike. Consequently, there is a system-wide avoidance of these disorders that significantly increase medical and disability costs. However, there is a considerable cost to individual and society as well in terms of the reduction in the quality of life of the individual and the high costs associated with chronic use of medical resources.It is essential to note the complexity of the psychiatric and psychosocial disability conundrum. This dilemma is not limited solely to short-term, minor problems but leach into the full spectrum of disability systems: private insurance, disability insurance, and federal programs for disabled persons. This book will provide innovative tools to confidently navigate the disability process by implementing, for the first time, true objective information coupled with the state-of-the-art evidence-based research. Thus, all individuals involved in the psychiatric disability process will be able to properly manage the process, optimize the treatment for an optimal outcome and avoid iatrogenic disability. In particular, the book will provide a clear evidence-based guidance for the evaluation and treatment process not only for individuals with obvious psychological problems, but for symptomatic individual with no discernable etiology or who simply never seem to get well.

Provides a link between treating professionals which incorporates this information into the disability treatment and management process furnishing clinicians with the comprehensive professional perspective that is lacking in the field.

Overview of the scope of psychological and behavioral health disabilityReview of current federal figures, such as Social Security, to demonstrate the steep increase of psychological disability.Review of international data/empirical research to demonstrate similar trend in other countries.Overview of the lack of coordination of treatmentOverview of lack of coordination among all professionals involved in the psychological and behavioral health disability processTrue psychological concerns versus psycho-social concernsComorbidity and psychological concernsPurpose of the book is to present multiple perspectives from different types of professionals involved in the psychological and disability process: Primary care physician, occupational medicine physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, rehabilitation professionals, such as a physical therapist and rehabilitation/vocational counselor, attorney, employer, and insurer. Each of these different perspectives will address issues specific to each professional, determination of psychological functioning specific to the identified concern, gaps into determining functioning and how to address, such as referral to another professional.Primary Care Medicine and Psychological and Behavioral Health DisabilityEpidemiological and prevalence of psychological and behavioral health concerns in primary care medicine.Discussion of usual care treatment process: strengths and weaknessesDetermining current psychological functioning: strengths and weaknessesReferral and coordination of treatment considerations: strengths and weakness in current processMedicalization: The process of taking everyday occurrences and identifying them as medical concernsMalingering and symptom exaggerationPatient compliance issues: limitations and strategies for improved managementAppropriate documentation of limitations in functioningTreatment outcomes: Strategies for addressing individual¿s return to workOccupational MedicineEpidemiological and prevalence of psychological and behavioral health concerns in Occupational Medicine.Discussion of usual care treatment process: strengths and weaknessesDetermining current psychological functioning: strengths and weaknessesReferral and coordination of treatment considerations: strengths and weakness in current processMedicalization: The process of taking everyday occurrences and identifying them as medical concernsSymptom exaggeration and malingeringPatient compliance issues: limitations and strategies for improved managementAppropriate documentation of limitations in functioningTreatment outcomes: Strategies for addressing individual¿s return to workPsychologyEpidemiological and prevalence of psychological and behavioral health concerns in Clinical Psychology.Discussion of usual care treatment process: strengths and weaknessesDetermining current psychological functioning: strengths and weaknessesAppropriate psychological testing (This will be a separate chapter because of complexity of the multiple factors involved.) Estimated pages: 40Symptom exaggeration and MalingeringReferral and coordination of treatment considerations: strengths and weakness in current processMedicalization: The process of taking everyday occurrences and identifying them as medical concernsPatient compliance issues: limitations and strategies for improved managementAppropriate documentation of limitations in functioningTreatment outcomes: Strategies for addressing individual¿s return to workPsychiatryEpidemiological and prevalence of psychological and behavioral health concerns in Psychiatry.Discussion of usual care treatment process: strengths and weaknessesDetermining current psychiatric functioning: strengths and weaknessesPsychological testing4Symptom exaggeration and MalingeringReferral and coordination of treatment considerations: strengths and weakness in current processMedicalization: The process of taking everyday occurrences and identifying them as medical concernsAppropriate documentation of limitations in functioningTreatment outcomes: Strategies for addressing individual¿s return to workRehabilitationEpidemiological and prevalence of psychological and behavioral health concerns in Psychiatry.Discussion of usual care treatment process: strengths and weaknessesDetermining current psychiatric functioning: strengths and weaknessesRehabilitation assessment and testingSymptom exaggeration and MalingeringReferral and coordination of treatment considerations: strengths and weakness in current processMedicalization: The process of taking everyday occurrences and identifying them as medical concernsPatient compliance issues: limitations and strategies for improved managementAppropriate documentation of limitations in functioningTreatment outcomes: Strategies for addressing individual¿s return to workLegal PerspectivePlaintiff versus defense perspective on psychological and behavioral health disabilityState legislative considerationsFederal considerations: FMLA and ADAHIPAA limitations with disabilityLegal perspective in defining appropriate outcomeEmployer PerspectiveMaintaining a productive workplaceWorkplace absence policy: Strengths and weakness in current employer policiesProblematic workplace behaviors that serve as catalysts for filing for a psychological disability claimObtaining required documentation: strengths and weaknesses in current processGaps in communication with treating professionalsAppropriate workplace accommodationsHelping the employee stay at workThe insurer and psychological/behavioral health disabilityInsurer perspectiveCase management perspectiveCurrent issues in providing insurance coverage for psychological, behavioral health, and co-morbid claimsCurrent identified drivers of psychological disability claimsStrategies for effective managementFuture DirectionsSummarization/recapRecommendations for initiating immediate change in the processImplications for long-term changeImplications for future research