In this new edition of the highly successful book originally written by Jennifer Hughes, her co-author on the fourth edition, David Gill, presents a fully revised and updated text that continues to be a comprehensive account of current practice in psychiatry. The book covers classification, causes and prevention of psychiatric disorders and gives practical information on history-taking, mental state examination and investigation. Each of the major syndromes is discussed, as well as the psychiatry of special age groups and populations. All the chapters have been rewritten to reflect recent research findings, changes in classification and terminology, and new organizational structures within the NHS plus the implications of the Mental Health Act. As in the fourth edition, case histories are included to illustrate the clinical relevance of the material.This book is designed primarily for medical students and trainee and practising psychiatrists. Its clear format and easy-to-read text mean that it is also of value to readers in other specialties and anyone with a general interest in psychiatry. "