Personality Disorders Anxiety Disorders

Gr 6—10—These titles provide a systematic and focused look at their respective subjects. Each title begins with an overview and then provides an explanation of the disorder. Personality Disorders covers 10 types, including paranoid and schizoid disorders. Subsequent chapters explore causes and the ways these conditions impact patients' lives and ultimately address whether sufferers can overcome them. Short sections containing primary-source quotes and bulleted facts and charts that highlight important information are appended to each chapter. Anxiety Disorders covers six main types, including panic and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It strikes an off-note with the inclusion of a graph showing that women who have had abortions have an increased likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Since this is the only study cited that links a particular action with an increased rate of anxiety, it adds an unfortunate and unnecessary political agenda to the topic. With the exception of the aforementioned problem, these titles are useful for reports as well as general interest; the inclusion of information on key people and advocacy groups as well as a chronology of events that highlights the historical background and important milestones adds value.—Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY