Never before has such a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art psychiatric knowledge and clinical guidance been assembled in one source. 174 leading experts describe psychiatry as it is practiced today. The process of psychiatric treatment brings together a knowledge and skill base from several sources - the doctor patient relationship, appropriate diagnosis, and how to develop a treatment plan based on a comprehensive understanding of the etiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie the disorder and a comprehensive knowledge of the range of appropriate treatment interventions. The overriding philosophical approach of this text comes from a belief that a bipsychosocial model of understanding psychiatric illness is the most comprehensive andintegrative approach possible.Provides more comprehensive coverage of the doctor-patient relationship, normal development, the scientific basis of psychiatry, evaluation of the signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness, and treatment plan development than any other major psychiatric text.Applies a psychosocial model in its examination of psychiatric illness.Offers treatment guidelines for handling patients who are refractory or unresponsive to initial treatment approaches.Features uncommonly substantial information on practical management and common problems that arise during treatment. Read Less