Originally published in 1978, with the reform of the 1959 Mental Health Act under consideration, it was time to re-examine the recent policy of desegregating the mentally ill and treating them within general hospital psychiatric units rather than in mental hospitals. This shift in policy reflected a number of significant trends in contemporary British psychiatry. It signified the acceptance of the idea that mental disorder is like a physical illness and should be treated as such, within the same buildings. It had also brought the psychiatric profession closer to the mainstream of medicine and had conferred on it a status similar to that enjoyed by other branches of the medical profession. In this study, however, the authors question much of British psychiatric practice at the time. Part of the book is devoted to explaining how the psychiatric profession had been able to establish a hegemony over the mental health field, and consequently subordinate the other mental health professions to minor roles. The main emphasis of the book is on the controversial policy of desegregation of the mentally ill. The historical development of general psychiatric units is discussed, then a case study documenting the ‘careers’ of three patients who passed through one such unit is presented, providing a fascinating insight into the way in which the unit operated as a diagnostic and therapeutic centre. Finally, an analysis is made of some of the issues raised by the study. In particular, the staff structure of psychiatric centres and the processes of assessment and treatment are considered in detail.

Child Psychiatry Observed: A Guide for Social Workers is based on the experience of a clinical child psychiatrist, who aims to give an overview of child psychiatry. The book first presents various psychological disturbances as well as its causes. This topic emphasizes the development of psychological disturbances among children since birth, which then develop over time as the child faces various experiences and special cases, such as divorce of the parents, harassment, and separation from the parents. Then, the book gives ideas how to treat a child identified as patient in a clinic, and how the society can help in providing facilities that could help the child recover. The latter part gives an insight into the future of child psychiatry. The text will be invaluable to counselors, child psychiatrists, psychologists, and practitioners in related fields. Parents and students will also benefit from the book.

This new edition is completely revised and updated it uses the authors real-life examples to argue that the traditional way of treating mental illness can often exacerbate peoples problems.