New Directions in Psychiatry

This book focuses on hot issues faced by clinicians in everyday clinical practice, and provides in-depth analyses of both met and unmet needs in the management of psychiatric disorders. It has been repeatedly shown that the needs of patients, relatives, the community at large and those of the governmental bodies only partially overlap. For instance, patients in their families are more concerned about quality of life, treatment, autonomy, and independent living; whereas governmental stakeholders are typically more concerned about relapse prevention and reduction of hospitalizations. As such, a volume bridging the gap between theoretical notions and practical understanding of patients’ untreated aspects of their psychiatric disorders is much needed. Instead of focusing on traditional descriptions of psychopathology and diagnostic criteria, the volume guides readers to core problems for each topic, taking into account new approaches in the classification of mental disorders as proposed by DSM-5. It elaborates on much-debated controversial problems such as the assessment and treatment of psychomotor agitation, and non-adherence to treatment that impacts on the psychiatric context. With its unique approach, this volume appeals to anyone with an interest in the field, including researchers, clinicians, and trainees.