Psychiatry

by Tomasz Bajorek, Thomas Stockmann, Neel Burton

In medical terms, psychiatry is the study, analysis and treatment of mental disorders. Initial chapters illustrate psychiatric assessment with complete case history, thorough physical- and mental state examination, comprising of neuroimaging and neuropsychological method. Further chapters exemplify the diverse disorders, covering the key aspects. DSM-IV and ICD-10 are the extensively used diagnostic criteria. Treatment varies on the type and severity of disorder. Most effective treatment includes combination of psychotherapy and psychiatric medicines e. g. antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers. A biopsychosocial model is also used to differentiate/filter aetiological factors. Not all patients receiving psychiatric treatment needs to be hospitalized. Some receive counseling; cognitive therapy and proper sleep hygiene. Others are either managed in primary care or on reference may be shifted to secondary care, where patients are assessed, cared and monitored by a multidisciplinary team. The medications can have adverse effects as well and needs to be monitored. When symptoms are severe and patient is unresponsive towards other treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is administered. Mental health services are different in every country. If patients pose risk to themselves and others, the mental health act (MHA) has the right to detain and treat them without their consent. Today psychiatry remains a challenge but this book through clinical scenarios clarifies all terms efficiently and aims to provide vital information for medical students and junior doctors. This helps the reader to think more clearly about aspects of human behavior, explore further and eliminate the myths and fears about psychiatry.

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