This is a superb book. Concise, but with more than enough detail for medical student attachments.

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Product Description

WINNER OF THE 2007 RICHARD ASHER PRIZE AWARDED BY THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS AND THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE

This exciting new textbook aims to bring the subject of psychiatry alive. Refreshing and inspirational, Psychiatry uses numerous excerpts and images from the worlds of art, film and literature to illustrate the core psychiatric content needed by medical students and junior doctors.

Psychiatry is placed in an historical context and the complex ethical and philosophical issues that are inherent to the practice of psychiatry are highlighted. The book challenges the reader to think about these issues and to appreciate that psychiatry is about more than just treating mental illness.

This informative and engaging new psychiatry text uses a range of pedagogical features throughout the full colour text, and includes case studies and self assessment material.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33837 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"This full colour, clinically focused textbook provides a comprehensive account of psychiatric disorders. The judges were impressed by its clear style and presentation; factual and practical, it is enlivened by many literary quotations" Judges, Royal Society of Medicine and Society of Authors 2007 Book Awards (WINNER RICHARD ASHER PRIZE)

"Neel Burton is to be congratulated on producing such an excellent, enjoyable, and enlivening book. His considerable enthusiasm for the subject matter of psychiatry shines through the pages of this introductory textbook and should make it even more interesting for the target audience of medical undergraduates.

The book is both useful and enjoyable. The overall format, helpful illustrations and diagrams, and thought–provoking spiritual and philosophical quotations all combine to make it "a good read". I would have no hesitation in recommending it to medical students and even to junior psychiatric trainees." International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 2007; 11(1): 79

"This book is very different from any medical textbook you′ve ever read. It has a great number of merits but arguably its greatest merit is to have singlehandedly transformed the perception of psychiatry from that of Cinderella speciality to that of hottest specialty on offer. I sincerely hope that it sets a trend in medical textbooks." Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk

"Dr Burton′s book exemplifies good teaching through simplification of the subject into its key components. By helping the reader to gain confidence rapidly, space is made to encourage a broader appreciation of psychiatry with memorable examples of mental illness drawn from history, art, music, literature and drama...By stimulating the formation of diverse intellectual links between society and psychiatry, a profound skill is taught, that of becoming a thinking doctor, who is aware that medicine is life itself and not merely a subject to be practised in abstraction. This original, refreshing perspective offered by Burton encourages the student to realise that all consultations are, indeed psychiatric. " Journal of the British Association of Psychopharmacology

"It is certainly a competent psychiatry book, but there are others out there too; Burton really sets his apart by making it interesting. There are numerous informative boxes from history and literature that both bring the subject to life and make it memorable, rather than detracting from it. If you like psychiatry, you will enjoy these forays into history and arts; if you hate psychiatry, these forays will keep you sane and interested." The Placebo Effect, HYMS Gazette

"This book puts in enough context and history to keep it interesting and relevant whilst also dealing with the necessary basic clinical skills and concepts of therapeutics. It′s in full colour and it′s thoroughly readable. I would recommend reading it cover to cover before starting your psych course, and then again just before exams. It′s one of the few textbooks on psychiatry that isn′t either a bit lacking, or too irritatingly self–indulgent.
I like it. Definitely worth a read." Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk

"This is an excellent text which explains psychiatry in an easy to understand way. Case histories provide an insight into how conditions present. This text provides all the information you need including, aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management. A beautifully written and illustrated text, with full colour throughout. An excellent text book which I would highly recommend to students and doctors alike." Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk

"Psychiatry can be a terrifying prospect for any medical student but this book breaks it down into manageable, clearly illustrated sections with many usful cases and examples." Medical Student, St. Andrews University

"A beautifully presented, well written journey through one of the core subjects. Plenty of contextual and historical background to keep you interested whilst still including the basic science necessary to passs finals." Medical Student, St. Georges Medical School

"A novel approach to clinical psychiatry, this book makes the subject come alive and aids learning through the stimulation of the mind." Medical Student, University of East Anglia

"A well–presented text which summarises the essential information needed to get through the much dreaded psychiatry exams. It includes useful revision summaries and self–assessment questions." Medical Student, Nottingham Unviersity

"A fabulous textbook whcih covers a difficult topic in an easy to understand and fun way. Examples of patients makes this text very useful in comprehending mental illness and how it presents." Medical Student, Manchester Unviersity

International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 2007; 11(1): 79
Neel Burton is to be congratulated on producing such an excellent, enjoyable, and enlivening book. His considerable enthusiasm for the subject matter of psychiatry shines through the pages of this introductory textbook and should make it even more interesting for the target audience of medical undergraduates.

The book is both useful and enjoyable. The overall format, helpful illustrations and diagrams, and thought-provoking spiritual and philosophical quotations all combine to make it "a good read". I would have no hesitation in recommending it to medical students and even to junior psychiatric trainees.

The Placebo Effect, HYMS Gazette
It is certainly a competent psychiatry book, but there are others out there too; Burton really sets his apart by making it interesting. There are numerous informative boxes from history and literature that both bring the subject to life and make it memorable, rather than detracting from it. If you like psychiatry, you will enjoy these forays into history and arts; if you hate psychiatry, these forays will keep you sane and interested.

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Customer Reviews

Stimulating, challenging, and inspiring!
I came across this book in the library and immediately took a liking to it. When I took it home I actually could not put it down, and ended up falling asleep over it. Not only is the book easy and, dare I say, fun to read, but the artistic and literary content gave me some incredible insights into mental illness. At the same time, the book covered all the aspects of the syllabus succinctly and effectively and I found it very useful both for learning from and for revision. Highly recommended.

Psychiatry
Once you get past the author's style and flair (which may appeal to other readers), this new text is an excellent guide to the speciality, with detailed information about diseases and their impact on real patients. Cases bring the book to life, and summary boxes help to retain knowledge. Beautifully presented with full colour, it certainly looks attractive and makes reading enjoyable. Well worth looking at if you are in the market for a psychiatry book.

lovely introduction to one of the core subjects
this book puts in enough context and history to keep it interesting and relevant whilst also dealing with the necessary basic clinical skills and concepts of therapeutics. it's in full colour and it's thoroughly readable. i would recommend reading it cover to cover before starting your psych course, and then again just before exams. it's one of the few textbooks on psychiatry that isn't either a bit lacking, or too irritatingly self-indulgent.
i like it. definitely worth a read.