This fully updated third edition of Psychiatry in Medical Practice takes into account major changes in medical education since 1994. New sections provide information on problem-based learning and observed structured clinical examinations. Divided into four sections, this book covers: clinical approaches to the patient syndromes of disorder disorders related to stages of the life cycle services, ethics and the law. As well as retaining the key features of the previous editions, this book includes two brand new chapters on risk assessment and the Mental Health Service. A handy portable reference card is also included; this has been updated to incorporate a scale for assessing cerebral impairment in the elderly, and a new assessment of suicidal risk scale. This highly practical book is an essential guide for all medical students and doctors in training who are involved with psychiatry. It is also a useful reference tool for those who are more experienced in the field.

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 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.