Biological Psychiatry

This book looks at psychiatry as a medical discipline whose roots lie in neuropathology. Beginning with a historical overview of the discipline, the book then reviews several key areas of current research in brain physiology, chemistry, and anatomy, and their relevance to psychiatric treatment. Discusses the distinction between illness and development (e.g., personality disorders) first drawn by Jaspers, examining whether psychiatrists should deal exclusively with illness and the extent to which psychiatric professionals are an appropriate and effective group for dealing with personality disorders. Also looks at concepts of disease and classification, using DSM III as its main diagnostic framework. Structural disorders of the limbic system, recent findings on schizophrenia and dementia, and biological treatments are also covered.