Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine (Second Edition) by James L. Levenson

Why This Book Matters

Psychiatric symptoms in medically ill patients are often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or poorly managed, leading to worse outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Clinicians face the challenge of differentiating organic from functional disorders, managing psychiatric comorbidities in complex medical settings, and navigating ethical dilemmas at the intersection of medicine and psychiatry. This textbook provides the authoritative framework needed to address these challenges effectively.

Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine (Second Edition) by James L. Levenson at a Glance

The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine, Second Edition, edited by James L. Levenson, M.D., is the definitive reference in consultation-liaison psychiatry. It offers comprehensive coverage of the evaluation and management of psychiatric disorders in patients with medical illness. Psychosomatic medicine is the subspecialty that bridges psychiatry and the rest of medicine, and this textbook is its cornerstone resource.

Organized into three major sections, the book begins with general principles of psychiatric assessment and consultation, including legal and ethical issues and psychological responses to illness. The second section addresses specific psychiatric syndromes such as delirium, depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders in the context of medical conditions. The final section covers psychiatric aspects of diseases across every major organ system, from cardiology to oncology to neurology.

Is This Book Right for You?

This textbook is essential for consultation-liaison psychiatrists and psychiatry residents preparing for board certification in psychosomatic medicine. It is also invaluable for general psychiatrists, internists, hospitalists, and other clinicians who frequently encounter psychiatric comorbidity in their patients. Medical students and researchers seeking a thorough understanding of the mind–body connection in clinical practice will find this text indispensable.

If you are a healthcare professional who manages patients with concurrent medical and psychiatric conditions, this book provides the evidence-based guidance you need to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.

What You Will Learn

• Core principles of psychiatric assessment and consultation in medical settings
• How to differentiate delirium from dementia and other neuropsychiatric conditions
• Evidence-based pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches for depression and anxiety in the medically ill
• Management of substance use disorders in hospitalized patients
• Psychiatric aspects of chronic pain, fatigue syndromes, and functional somatic disorders
• Ethical and legal considerations specific to consultation-liaison psychiatry
• Psychopharmacology in patients with hepatic, renal, or cardiac impairment
• Psychosocial interventions to improve adherence and quality of life in chronic illness

Why Choose This Edition

Unlike general psychiatry texts that only briefly touch on medical comorbidity, this textbook is entirely dedicated to the intersection of psychiatry and medicine. It offers unmatched depth in areas such as psychiatric care of the medically ill, with detailed chapters on organ-system-specific syndromes. The Second Edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines, ensuring you are learning current best practices.

Competing resources often lack the practical focus on consultation-liaison workflows. This text provides actionable algorithms for common consultation questions, sample consultation reports, and guidance on interprofessional communication. Its comprehensive scope means you rarely need to consult multiple sources for a single clinical problem.

About the Author

Editor James L. Levenson, M.D., is a leading authority in psychosomatic medicine, with decades of clinical and academic experience at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and served on editorial boards of major psychiatry journals. The publisher, American Psychiatric Publishing, is the world’s premier source for psychiatric knowledge, known for rigorous peer review and adherence to the highest standards of evidence-based content. This textbook is part of their flagship series and is widely adopted in fellowship training programs across North America.

The Bottom Line

For any clinician or trainee serious about consultation-liaison psychiatry, this textbook is not just worth it—it is essential. The depth, organization, and clinical relevance are unmatched. It serves as both a comprehensive learning resource and a quick-reference guide for daily practice. The Second Edition remains highly relevant even with the availability of a newer edition, as it contains foundational knowledge that does not become obsolete. At a fraction of the cost of the latest edition, it offers exceptional value for those who need authoritative content without the premium price.

Download Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine (Second Edition) by James L. Levenson Now

Whether you are a psychiatry resident preparing for boards, a practicing CL psychiatrist, or a medical professional seeking to deepen your understanding of psychiatric comorbidity, this textbook will elevate your clinical skills. Order your copy today from American Psychiatric Publishing and gain access to the definitive guide in psychosomatic medicine. This Second Edition remains a trusted resource for evidence-based care of the medically ill.