Although our knowledge of psychiatry has advanced to a large extent, we still know too little and a lot remains to be discovered. The more we find out, the more we are aware of our limitations and the promises that each discipline holds. This book emphasises the recognition of the usefulness of multiple approaches, presents recent advances to our knowledge base and highlights controversies. It explicitly addresses the multidisciplinary approach and emphasises the importance of coordination and integration between different disciplines.

The book is structured around 10 cases, each followed by 10 to 14 relevant essays. The cases, drawn from clinical experience, are chosen to bring out the complexity and diversity of individuals seen in the clinical setting. They include a wide diagnostic spectrum, from mood instability and schizophrenia to hypomania and geriatric depression. Each essay focuses on one aspect of the case, with authors from various disciplines such as basic science, psychopharmacology, psychiatry, psychology, anthropology, etc. Despite over a hundred contributors, the essays are of consistently excellent quality. An expert provides an overview for each chapter, at the end of which the main points are summarised.

The essays discuss approaches to diagnosis and treatment from the perspective of various disciplines. For instance, the case of double depression is followed by a discussion on biological and cultural factors in the aetiology of depression, suicide, psychodynamic formulation, interviewing depressed patients, the neurobiology of stress, in-patient psychiatry and treatment aspects with regard to psychopharmacology, pharmacogenomics, neuromodulation, supportive psychotherapy and couple therapy. This closely resembles the multidisciplinary working – and the issues that this brings up – in day-to-day clinical practice.

The book mirrors clinical practice also in the way in which the clinician approaches patients, asks questions and finds answers, as well as sometimes accepting uncertainty. All essays may not be relevant to every reader and one may start with those that one finds interesting. This book complements the standard textbook and is not intended to replace it. It is likely to appeal to a wide range of professionals such as experienced psychiatrists, trainees, psychologists and colleagues from nursing and social care backgrounds.