Introduction

This clinical study aid was designed in the tradition of the First Aid series of books. It is formatted in the same way as the other books in this series. However, a stronger clinical emphasis was placed on its content in relation to psychiatry. You will find that rather than simply preparing you for success on the clerkship exam, this resource will guide you in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of many problems seen by psychiatrists.

Each chapter in this book contains the major topics central to the practice of psychiatry and has been specifically designed for the medical student learning level, to excel in the clerkship (shelf exams), as well as the USMLE Step 2 and 3 exams.

The content of the text is organized in the format similar to other texts in the First Aid series. Topics are listed by bold headings, and the “meat” of the topics provides essential information. The outside margins contain mnemonics, diagrams, exam and ward tips, summary or warning statements, and other memory aids. Exam tips are marked by the icon, tips for the wards and questions for the wards by the icon, and clinical scenarios by the icon.