Roland Littlewood is Professor of Anthropology and Psychiatry at University College London. Maurice Lipsedge is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at Guy’s Hospital, London.

Comments from previous edition:'An important exploration of the cross-cultural currents, misunderstandings and plain prejudices that riddle psychiatry and this society as well.' - New Statesman'Beautifully written, contextually rich and eloquent.' - Journal of Operational Psychiatry'Essential reading.' - Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine'Essential reading for all mental health workers.' - New Forum'Essential reading for psychiatric nurses.' - Nursing Mirror'Sensitively written and easy to read.' - The Lancet'Mandatory reading ...for everyone working in the health and social services.' - Anthony Clare, New Society

• 1 Ethnic minorities and the psychiatrist 2 Medicine and racism 3 The question of black depression 4 Mental illness among immigrants to Britain 5 A digression on diagnosis 6 The price of adaptation 7 Sick societies 8 A prelude to insanity? 9 Normal and abnormal 10 The illness as a communication 11 Some conclusions 12 The development of ‘transcultural psychiatry’ in Britain 1982–96