Balanced, authoritative, and humanistic, this fully revised edition serves as a practical guide to a full range of mental illnesses and their treatments. Stressing the value of partnership between psychiatrists, patients and their families, this handbook not only underscores the place of hope and optimism—pointing to the great strides being made in the field—but also weaves the stories of real people and the insights of writers and artists throughout the text. The book includes chapters dealing specifically with mental illnesses affecting women, children, and the elderly, as well as sections on alcohol and drug abuse and eating disorders. Accessible and highly readable, it will appeal to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of mental illness.