Key Points Complementary and alternative medical therapies are made up of a diverse spectrum of practices (including natural medications) that often overlap with more traditional medical practice. The use of natural medications is growing considerably in the US and around…
Overview Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies constitute a diverse spectrum of practices and beliefs in current medical practice. The National Institutes of Health has defined CAM as “healthcare practices outside the realm of conventional medicine, which are yet to…
Although the interview and the mental status examination compose the primary diagnostic tools in psychiatry, the use of standardized rating scales and laboratory tests provides important adjunctive data. In addition to ruling out medical and neurologic explanations for psychiatric symptoms,…
Key Points Complementary and alternative medical therapies are made up of a diverse spectrum of practices (including natural medications) that often overlap with more traditional medical practice. The use of natural medications is growing considerably in the US and around…
Key Points Background Diagnostic rating scales provide validated measures of symptom severity in psychiatric disorders. Rating scales may be employed in both clinical and research settings. History The format of psychiatric rating scales varies widely in content, length, and administration.…