This Shorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry succeeds the Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry, third edition (1996). It continues in the tradition of providing clear, comprehensive and practical coverage of clinical psychiatry specifically tailored to the needs of trainees, as well as providing a useful reference work for psychiatrists in practice and general practitioners. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated with the help of a team of expert advisors; however, it continues to be written by just three authors retaining a uniform style throughout, achieving cohesive and comprehensive coverage. The revision pays particular attention to the considerable advances in knowledge derived from the field of neuroscience, as well as including new chapters on an evidence-based approach to practice, somatoform and dissociative disorders, eating disorders and ethics. The text and layout have been redesigned with greater use of illustrations, tables, lists and summary boxes, and the comprehensive reference section has been revised and brought right up-to-date.