Book excerpt: Essentials of Psychiatry provides a synopsis of the most critical material in the field of psychiatry. It covers the whole field, including assessment of the patient, definitions of each disorder, all treatment options and prognosis. The phenomenological classification of disorders is based on the APA’s DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is followed by full treatment plans for each condition and a review of each therapy option in a dedicated therapeutics section. Provides all the clinical information needed by psychiatry trainees to complete their residency and pass the boards All psychiatric assessment tools are described in detail Full descriptions of the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria sets for each disorder Clinical vignettes (case histories) describe difficult clinical scenarios and give management options and outcome This book is relevant to trainees in psychiatry worldwide, as well as other mental health workers such as psychologists, mental health nurses and social workers.