Although our understanding of brain-behavior relationships in terms of cognition has grown exponentially in recent decades, the neuropsychology of emotion has remained varied and poorly defined. Suchy's Clinical Neuropsychology of Emotion integrates this wide body of knowledge, taking relevant historical factors into account. The result is a highly readable exposition of the underlying neuroanatomical substrates of emotion, its manifestation in clinical syndromes, and methods for improved understanding and assessment of emotional phenomenon. This book is not only engaging and easy to read from beginning to end, the book's organization makes it well suited for a handy desktop reference.

Suchy aims to propose clinically meaningful domains of emotional processing, demonstrate the clinical utility of each domain, demonstrate that emotions and cognitions are much more closely intertwined than historically thought, explore the interdisciplinary future of the clinical neuropsychology of emotion, and provide an easy reference for clinical neuropsychologists when questions about emotional processing arise. Organized in four parts, Suchy effectively synthesizes the growing body of knowledge regarding the clinical neuropsychology of emotion, and offers important insights into the role of emotional processing in cognition, mental health, and day-to-day functioning. In addition, she provides pertinent reviews of applicable assessment instruments to assist in better measuring and understanding emotional phenomenon in both healthy and clinical populations. Throughout the book, the underlying theoretical constructs to explain the clinical neuropsychology of emotion are expertly integrated into analysis of the application and integration of these theories into clinical practice. Parts II and III are particularly relevant to the practicing neuropsychologist, and each chapter in these two parts is organized in the same manner for ease of use as a reference.

Part I introduces the reader to the historical origins of emotions and personality, beginning with the early philosophers of Ancient Greece and the Doctrine of the Four Humors, which Suchy interestingly compares to our modern day understanding of hormones, neurotransmitters, and vitamins amongst other elements of healthy functioning. The reader is also taken on an engrossing journey from the times of Plato to modern day neuropsychology in a succinct, but thorough, history of the early neuroanatomical models of the brain's underlying structure and function, including an overview of the neuroanatomical substrates of emotional processing from a historical perspective that sets the stage for our current understanding and pursuit of the study of emotion.

Part II examines the processes underlying a single emotional event, the neuroanatomical substrates involved, associated clinical syndromes, and the implications for clinical neuropsychological practice. In this section, an emotional event is broken down into five domains that make up an emotional response: the emotional trigger mechanism; the reflexive emotional response; conscious awareness of the emotional response; emotional communication; and, emotional regulation. Suchy deftly weaves the integrating theme of a relatable incident involving one's emotional reaction to a yellow jacket at a picnic throughout the chapters, using vibrant descriptions, to illustrate the various components of a single emotional event. Each chapter in this section is organized in a consistent manner for easy use as a clinical reference, beginning with a theoretical background for each of the five domains that includes a conceptual analysis of the construct, the interface of the domain with cognition, and the underlying anatomy. Suchy then integrates these theoretical constructs into the practice of neuropsychology with an examination of the ways in which emotional deficits affect cognition and test performance, a description of syndromes associated with each domain, and an overview of typical clinical populations that are deficient in a given domain. Methods for assessing a given domain or its subcomponents are also included when relevant. Each chapter concludes with a helpful summary and relevant notes. The ease with which clinical populations of interest and the emotional components relevant to these populations can be identified and reviewed makes this section particularly handy and useful for the practicing neuropsychologist.

Part III focuses on “how emotions shape who we are and what we do.” This section takes the reader to a more in-depth level of understanding of the clinical neuropsychology of emotion, moving beyond a single emotional event to analysis of the ways in which the five emotional domains form patterns of emotional responses that develop into prevailing moods, affective styles, and susceptibility to daily stresses that serve to motivate complex behavioral choices. Affective style is shown to form three “outputs” consisting of mood, incentive and sensitivity, and vulnerability/resilience to stress which in turn impacts approach vs. withdrawal, behavioral activation, and physical and mental health, respectively. Again, each chapter begins with the theoretical background followed by an integration of this theory into clinical practice. This section also highlights key syndromes of interest to neuropsychologists, including relevant assessment issues and underlying neuroanatomical substrates of the affected clinical populations.

Part IV focuses primarily on the future of the clinical neuropsychology of emotion from an interdisciplinary perspective. This section includes a guest contribution from Dr. Paula Williams, who specializes in studying the interface of personality, health, and executive functioning. Suchy offers her thoughts on future scientific and clinical endeavors that would further facilitate the integration of the neuropsychology of emotion into everyday clinical practice, including other related areas of study such as temperament and personality, stress regulation, behavioral medicine, and executive functioning.

The Clinical Neuropsychology of Emotion includes three appendices that are particularly useful for the practicing clinical neuropsychologist. Appendix A is organized by clinical population, associated symptoms, and relevant clinical details as well as reference to the chapter in which one could find more information. Likewise, Appendix B lists symptoms of affective dysfunction with their associated clinical population. Again, the reader is directed to the relevant chapter in which more information can be found. Appendix C lists specific assessment measures for various affective deficits, symptoms, and syndromes. These appendices are well organized and easy to use, making this volume an indispensable reference. The body of the book is also filled with useful figures and tables that further illustrate the neuropsychology of emotion in a clearly and easily understood manner.

Overall, the Clinical Neuropsychology of Emotion is highly recommended for clinical neuropsychologists in practice as well as graduate students and other allied professionals. It provides a comprehensive overview of the neuropsychology of emotion for the “reader” who desires a solid understanding of this phenomenon, while also serving as an easily accessible reference for the “skimmer” who may want to address a specific issue during the course of clinical practice. Suchy discusses her approach to writing this book with both of these populations in mind, and she has presented a comprehensive, yet succinct, and highly readable reference that effectively integrates emotional theory, underlying anatomical substrates, and clinical application. The reader is encouraged to first review the “About this Book” chapter, which serves as a roadmap in approaching the book as a “reader” or a “skimmer.” This book is a critical resource in our work as clinical neuropsychologists in attempting to understand the underlying physiological/neuroanatomical substrates of emotion and the interplay of cognition and emotion in the manifestation of behavior.