Psychiatry Algorithms for Primary Care

Psychiatry Algorithms for Primary Care is a practical, quick reference guide to psychiatric assessment and mental healthcare in general practice. Providing algorithms informed by evidence-based guidelines, this easy-to-use resource helps busy medical and healthcare professionals quickly assess mental health problems, make informed treatment decisions, and understand when referrals to specialist mental health services are appropriate. Drawing from their extensive experience in general practice and psychiatry, the authors provide clear and authoritative guidance on a wide range of common psychiatric disorders, complex scenarios, and special considerations.  

Unique visual management algorithms define assessment, diagnosis, investigations and management for each condition, including Bipolar Affective Disorder, Psychosis, Depression, Dementia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Up-to-date information on medication choices and counselling strategies is found throughout the text. Designed for informing swift clinical decisions in demanding primary care settings, this indispensable reference guide:  

• Conforms to the diagnostic criteria in the current edition of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 
• Contains algorithms informed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines 
• Explores common complaints that can suggest psychological or psychiatric disorders, such as insomnia and fatigue 
• Outlines special mental health considerations related to children, intellectual disability, autism, the elderly, and pregnancy 
• Includes appendices covering commonly prescribed drugs and physical examinations for patients with severe mental illness 
• Features numerous self-assessment questions and links to online reference tools for General Practitioners 

Psychiatry Algorithms for Primary Care is a much-needed resource for medical students and trainees, physicians and healthcare professionals in general practice, nurse practitioners, and practitioners in other fields such as urgent care and emergency medicine.