First Responder's Guide to Abnormal Psychology

Natural disasters. Hostage situations. Terror attacks. During these and other emergency situations, first responders make split-second judgments: evaluating risks, identifying dangerous conditions, and—often the hardest job of all—attending to those distressed and disturbed by their ordeal.

First Responder's Guide to Abnormal Psychology  gives readers critical insights into the human impact of extreme trauma, and the various levels of mental impairment suffered by both victims and survivors. Renowned trauma experts William Dorfman and Lenore Walker give this book immediate relevance through the use of real-life examples from a wide range of crisis situations. They have also deliberately minimized research citations within the text for greater readability.

Highlights of the coverage:

Comprehensive review of the major forms of mental illness and how to recognize them
The latest theories of stress, trauma, resilience, and coping

Overview of key mental health issues in the law, from competence to the insanity defense

Special chapter on emotional and psychological disorders in children and adolescents

Introduces the concept of therapeutic justice—an innovative problem-solving court for people with mental illness

Intervention strategies for putting psychological knowledge into action


A practice-enhancing seminar in book form, First Responder's Guide to Abnormal Psychology is an essential resource for professionals in the emergency, security, and rescue services, as well as a valuable text for those training to enter these demanding careers. It confirms gut feelings, clarifies judgment calls, and puts into sharp focus the human stories behind critical incidents.