Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Psychiatry has become increasingly complex, potentially creating a barrier between the patient and the healthcare practitioner. Dr. Emil Šabanović sets out to clarify matters by providing fresh perspectives in The Tree of Symptoms. The resulting insights will assist medical professionals in communicating with their patients in layman’s language and demystifying the treatment process. The author describes how the body and mind work together and that a holistic approach to diagnosis is needed. The body sends messages in the form of fatigue, pain, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and dizziness that are often not specific to any particular ailment. Routine tests do not always provide answers, indicating a psychosomatic approach. The author cautions that not every case is psychosomatic. Conversely, the symptoms are not imaginary, as the body has been rewired. Years of stress can affect both mental and physical well-being, with dire consequences. Trauma manifests as pain, while fear can become cellular. Eventually, the immune system falters, precipitating a crisis that can become overwhelming. Patients struggle to describe what is not functioning, becoming emotionally disconnected. Childhood and ancestral traumas endure. Examining the stress factors and establishing the root cause is essential. The appropriate treatment and cultivating healthy relationships then become crucial.

Dr. Emil Šabanović is a specialist in psychiatry, psychotherapy, psychosomatic, and psychosocial medicine. He brings his considerable experience to the fore in The Tree of Symptoms as he outlines his innovative technique, based on the analogy of a tree. The author points out that the symptoms exhibited by patients can be likened to trees, with the leaves providing clues as to what may lie deeper down in the branches, trunk, or roots. Among the topics that are particularly well explained is Bodily Distress Syndrome, a situation where the body remains in defense mode long after the threat disappears. The book provides a roadmap for an empathetic assessment of the patient, how to look for pointers in the clinical history, both physical and visual, while creating increased awareness in the patient. Psychotherapy and the role of medication are outlined, along with the art of listening and observing, as trust builds between the patient and therapist. Numerous case studies are provided and add depth. Other treatment techniques, such as breathing and psychoeducation, are also included. All of this is described in a concise manner that will be invaluable to healthcare professionals, and this work is highly recommended.