[Psychiatry] Introduction

This field specialises in diseases of the human mind. It is concerned chiefly with psychosis, anxiety, mood instability, substance misuse, maladaptive behaviour, and cognitive dysfunction. It overlaps with neurology, due to the relationship between the central nervous system and the mind.

 

Subspecialties

• Child psychiatry
• Liason psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry
• Neuropsychiatry
• Medical psychotherapy

 

Etymology

Ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ) = soul
Ancient Greek λογία (logia) = study

History taking

 

Mental state examination 

 

Assessment of cognition and memory  

 

Common problems:

• Psychosis 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Self-harm  
• Self-mutilation
• Recreational drug use
• Unemployment
• Social isolation  
• Educational deficits
• Hypersexuality  
• Suicide

 

Relevant diseases:

• Emotionally unstable (borderline) personality disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Adjustment disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Bipolar disorder 
• Schizophrenia  
• Anxiety disorders
• Phobias 
• Obsessive–compulsive disorder  
• Delirium 
• Dementia
• Learning disabilities 
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Autistic spectrum disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Eating disorders 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Sleep disorders
• Insomnia
• Speech disorders
• Stuttering
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Postnatal psychiatric disorders
• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum psychosis
• Gender dysphoria
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Dissociative disorders
• Psychogenic amnesia
• Depersonalization disorder 
• Dissociative identity disorder
• Delusional disorder 
• Anti-social personality disorder 
• Other personality disorders
• Impulse control disorder
• Pica
• Folie à deux (shared psychosis) 
• Intellectual disability
• Medically unexplained physical symptoms