The Diagnostic Manual of Mishegas

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"13911","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","id":"media_crop_4162904788347","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"649","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","style":"margin: 4px; float: right; height: 161px; width: 120px;","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]Potchkied together by Jay Neugeboren, Michael B. Friedman, MSW, and Lloyd I. Sederer, MD, the Diagnostic Manual of Mishegas (DMOM) is a delightful parody of the American Psychiatric Association’s “Bible of psychiatry,” the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). In a playful send-up of DSM-5, the authors-all of whom are distinguished writers with deep roots in the field of mental health-cut through the hundreds of categories in the 1000-page DSM-5 by dividing all mental disorders into 2 realms: mishegas major and mishegas minor.

For each of the sub-categories it analyzes-spilkes major (and spilkes minor), yenta, kvetch, alter kocker, shnorrer, dementia-with-benefits, etc.- it provides lighthearted anecdotes that not only illustrate the diagnostic category, but also make you plotz with laughter. DMOM enables readers to transform ordinary tsuris and mishegas-the glooms, blues, angsts, and general chazzerie of their lives-into transcendent and easy-to-understand categories. It will turn kvetching into kvelling and guilt into gelt, so that readers will learn to live at peace with their inner mishegas and to treasure its precious and life-giving absurdities.

A perfect gift for Father’s Day, or for your favorite mishugenah friend or relative any time of the year, DMOM is sure to keep readers laughing long after the last page is read.

About the authorsJay Neugeboren is the author of 20 books, including 2 prize-winning novels, 2 prize-winning books of non-fiction, and 4 collections of award-winning stories. He has been keynote speaker nationally and internationally for numerous mental health organizations, including the US Department of Health and Human Services and has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization.  His most recent book is The American Sun & Wind Moving Picture Company. 

Michael B. Friedman, MSW, a former Regional Director of the New York State Office of Mental Health, is a founder of The Center for Policy and Advocacy of the Mental Health Association of New York City, the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance, and the Veterans’ Mental Health Coalition of New York City. He teaches health and mental health policy at Columbia University Schools of Social Work and of Public Health, and publishes regularly in The Huffington Post, Mental Health News, and other periodicals.

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD is Medical Director of the New York State Office of Mental Health, and Medical Editor for Mental Health for The Huffington Post. He has served as Mental Health Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and as Medical Director of McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He received the 2013 Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents by the American Psychiatric Association, which also recognized him as the 2009 Psychiatric Administrator of the Year.  His most recent book is The Family Guide to Mental Health Care.

For more information contact Rachel Tarlow Gul at Over the River Public Relations:
201-503-1321, Rachel@otrpr.com

The Diagnostic Manual of Mishegas
By Jay Neugeboren, Michael B. Friedman, and Dr. Lloyd Sederer
(978-1483994741; 50 Pages; $10)
May 18, 2013; Create Space Original Trade Paperback

Available at Amazon
Also available at www.createspace.com/4226787