An accessible and comprehensive textbook providing an essential foundation in contemporary psychiatry for medical students and trainees.

"A clear, straightforward guide to the issues around mental health [and] a useful starting resource for non-mental health practitioners to develop their understanding of the processes involved in mental health." Joanne Fisher, Senior Practice Educator, Cambridge University Hospitals An Introduction to Mental Health is essential reading for anyone learning the fundamentals of mental health. Written for an interdisciplinary audience with no prior knowledge of mental health practice, the book uses a patient-centred focus and covers the historical context of mental health through to contemporary issues, including mental health law, policy, professional practice, equality and diversity in the sector, and international perspectives. Key learning features include concept summaries, reflective points, case studies and reflective exercises to help situate content in the context of practice.

The third edition of this bestselling, lively text depicts psychiatry as a field virtually exploding with new knowledge. Its two distinguished authors, whose work as scholars, teachers, and research scientists enhances this volume's appeal, present the fundamentals for practicing psychiatry. This dynamic field is summarized in four sections: "background" (e.g., history, diagnosis, neurobiology), "psychiatric disorders" (e.g., cognitive, mood, anxiety, dissociative, and personality disorders), "special topics" (e.g., violent behavior, legal issues), and psychosocial and somatic "treatments," In addition to exciting new findings about specific psychiatric disorders and new case vignettes, illustrations, and tables, the authors include expanded chapters on the psychiatric aspects of AIDS, reflecting the exponential increase in knowledge about this still-unchecked worldwide epidemic, and on somatic treatments, reflecting the burgeoning knowledge about new drug treatments, particularly antidepressants. The authors have also added the Beck Depression Inventory-a self-report patient questionnaire to help the clinician obtain an objective measure of the patient's condition-to their helpful appendix of commonly used diagnostic scales and measurements. The authors also include model curriculum recommendations for students and psychiatry clerkship directors. Popular among an increasing number of professors, this highly readable, comprehensive textbook is targeted specifically for third- and fourth-year medical students rotating through psychiatry and first- and second-year residents, and generally for clinicians in private practice, social workers, nursing students, physician's assistants, and laypersons interested in learning more about psychiatric illnesses.

By introducing a wide range of psychiatric disorders and their basic features, this text covers the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the major psychiatric illnesses. Over 100 case studies are presented, in various medical settings, so students are better prepared to answer their patients questions and provide effective assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

"This book provides a thoughtful overview of where psychotherapy fits into the overall schema of psychiatric training and practice, and it offers the tools for establishing therapeutic relationships with the great variety of distressed patients who seek competent and professional psychiatric care." --p. xi.

A Short Introduction to Psychiatry is designed to give readers a clear picture of the profession of psychiatry as it is today as well as an understanding of the subject from which to develop further study. The author describes the development of the profession, the route to qualification and the scope of contemporary practice, including the work done by psychiatrists in a range of specialisms - from child psychiatry to addiction services and forensic psychiatry. Drawing on the experience of people who have been through psychiatric treatment, the book also explores what psychiatry is like from the patient′s/user′s perspective. Many criticisms have been levelled against the profession and the author, Linda Gask, summarizes key debates which have been and continue to be played out between psychiatry′s critics and its defenders. A Short Introduction to Psychiatry is for anyone looking into psychiatry for the first time, whether with a view to training or out of more general interest.

A straight talking, myth busting book about psychiatric diagnosis and the flaws therein by a leading critical voice.