Key Points The limbic system is composed of brain regions that participate in the comprehension of emotional meaning and the generation of emotional responses. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) receives and processes sensory, affective, and visceral information for the purpose of…
Key Points Depression in the elderly carries a very high risk of suicide. Symptoms of alcoholism and substance abuse are often confused with those of medical illness. The differential diagnosis of dementia is broad and the behavior problems challenging to…
Key Points Background The term transitioning adolescents and young adults (TAY) (aged 16–26 years) has been coined to categorize this development stage, which has received increased attention. Parents of TAY sustain high burdens of care, particularly for those with common…
Key Points Psychopathology often begins and manifests, sometimes differently than in adults, in childhood and adolescence. Assessment of children and adolescents requires developmentally-sensitive adjustments to diagnostic criteria. Co-morbidities and symptoms from other disorders require consideration and sometimes targeted treatment interventions.…
Key Points The finance of mental health care in the US has evolved from primarily a state-run asylum system to a mix of inpatient and outpatient care that is paid for by public and private funds. The US system of…
Key Points Background The four principles of community mental health are population responsibility, prevention, community-based care with citizen involvement, and continuity of care. History Community psychiatry, the “third psychiatric revolution,” has an undulant history of reform and neglect. From the…
Key Points Background Cultural differences in the presentation of psychiatric illnesses exist and include most if not all psychiatric disorders, including depression and psychosis. Cultural aspects can play a fundamental role in the manifestation of symptoms and the appearance of…
Key Points Background The etiology of violence is multi-factorial: it has biological, environmental, and psychosocial components. The best predictor of violence in a patient is prior acts of violence. History The initial psychiatric evaluation for all patients should include an…
Key Points Five percent of adults in the US suffer from a serious mental illness (SMI), which is defined as a psychiatric illness that persists and is accompanied by functional disability. Modern, patient-centered treatment occurs in recovery-oriented community settings and…
Key Points Background Most psychiatric disorders have a genetic component. The etiology of psychiatric disorders reflects a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors Many psychiatric disorders can be familial and heritable due to the inheritance of genetic variations. Alternatively,…