A Short Textbook of Psychiatry, 7th Edition

273 Pages·2013·2.34 MB·English

A Short Textbook of
P S Y C H I A T R Y
Every effort has been made to ensure that drug dosage schedules in this book are accurate and
conform to the standards accepted at the time of publication. However, as recommendations for
treatment vary in the light of continuing research and clinical experience, the reader is advised to
verify drug dosage schedules contained in the product information sheets included in the package
of each drug as well as Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC), before any drug is administered.
It is the responsibility of the treating physician, relying on experience and knowledge about the
patient, to determine the dose(s) and the best treatment for the patient. Neither the publisher nor
the author assumes responsibility for any possible untoward consequences.
A Short Textbook of
P S Y C H I A T R Y
Seventh Edition
Niraj Ahuja MBBS MD MRCPsych
Consultant Psychiatrist
Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Formerly
Associate Professor (Psychiatry)
GB Pant Hospital and
Associated Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and
Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
Formerly also at
Department of Psychiatry
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry
Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and Smt. SK Hospital, New Delhi
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Contributing Editor
Savita Ahuja MBBS DGO DFSRH DRCOG
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For
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and
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Preface to the Seventh Edition
It is rather humbling to consider that it has been two decades that the Short Textbook of Psychiatry has enjoyed
a wide distribution among the undergraduate medical students, interns, junior residents, postgraduate psychiatry
students, nursing students, psychology and psychiatric social work students, occupational therapy and physi-
otherapy students, general medical practitioners, other physicians and health professionals in India and some
other countries. I am really indebted to the many astute readers who have provided a very constructive and
useful feedback, along with encouraging comments regarding the existing format and the contents of the book.
The seventh edition of the Short Textbook of Psychiatry has been once again extensively revised and
updated. Signifi cant changes have been made in almost all the chapters, especially in chapters on diagnosis
and classifi cation, psychoactive substance use disorders, psychopharmacology, schizophrenia, mood disorders
and other biological methods of treatment. Coloured-shaded boxes have been added at various places in the
text to highlight the important points in tables and fi gures. The chapter on psychiatric history and examination
contains a summary of laboratory tests in psychiatry, in additions to other signifi cant changes. The appendices
have been revised and contain a glossary of common psychiatric terms.
The Short Textbook of Psychiatry sincerely hopes to retain its original aim of providing a brief yet compre-
hensive account of the psychiatric disorders and their allied aspects in a ‘user-friendly’ and ‘easy-to-follow’
manner.
I am grateful to Shri Jitendar P Vij, Chairman and Managing Director, Jaypee Brothers Medical
Publishers (P) Ltd for his exquisite control over the production and distribution of the Short Textbook of
Psychiatry over the last 20 years.
I hope you enjoy reading the book and I warmly welcome critical comments and constructive suggestions.
Please send your comments by email to
Preface to the First Edition
Psychiatry, as a branch of Medicine, has been cold-shouldered by physicians for a long time. There are vari-
ous reasons for such an attitude. But, the most important exposition is an unfamiliarity with the psychiatric
disorders and their treatment. This is easy to understand in the light of the fact that an easily comprehensible,
non-intimidating and concise text on psychiatry was not earlier available.
Recently too, the various postgraduate entrance examinations have laid an increasing emphasis on
psychiatry and its related branches. Keeping this in mind, the Medical Examination Review—Psychiatry
(Multiple Choice Questions with Explanatory Answers) was written, the new edition of which appears this
year. Its tremendous success during the last four years and encouraging suggestions from the readers have
been a source of stimulation for drafting this text.
The Short Textbook of Psychiatry aims to provide a brief yet comprehensive account of psychiatric disor-
ders and their allied aspects. While striving to make the book simple and easy-to-follow, an attempt has been
made to keep the book aligned to the most recent developments in classifi cation, terminology and treatment
methods.
The Short Textbook of Psychiatry is addressed to medical students, interested physicians and other health
professionals. A postgraduate student in psychiatry will fi nd the text elementary and basic, although a fi rst
year postgraduate will fi nd it useful for a broad introduction to the subject.
I will like to put on record my deep appreciation for Shri Jitendar P Vij, Managing Director; Mr. Pawaninder
Vij, Production Manager and their effi cient staff at the Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi
for bringing out this volume in a short time.
I welcome critical comments and constructive suggestions from the readers.
January 1990 Niraj Ahuja