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:

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.