Fads and Fallacies in Psychiatry

This text examines the fads and fallacies, both past and present, that have plagued psychiatric diagnosis, treatments and research. It argues that such practices have led to an over-diagnosis of conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and autism. It examines the over-treatment of psychiatric disorders with pharmaceuticals, and asks if neuroscience will actually hold the answers to the biggest questions in the field. Thoroughly updated in light of new research, this new edition addresses some of the more recent developments in psychiatry, including behavioural genetics, genome-wide association studies, and brain imaging. It looks at new advances in psychotherapies and argues for a broad biopsychosocial model. The book will inform psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, other mental health professionals, and medical students of the limits of mental health practice and the importance of adopting cautious conservatism and the principles of evidence-based practice.

• This new edition considers the fads that have emerged over the past decade, highlighting to readers how this has affected our understanding of the causation and treatment of mental disorders
• Covers relatively recent developments in psychiatry, including biological methods such as genome-wide associations and gene editing, and new developments in psychotherapies
• Informs clinicians about the limits of mental health practice, encouraging the adoption of cautious conservatism and principles of evidence-based practice