Maudsley Handbook of Practical Psychiatry (Oxford Medical Publications)

"I'd previously heard of the 'Orange Book' a few years ago, but had never actually come across it. When I recently started a new job in mental health, I decided to actually buy myself a copy.

The book is pocket sized with a plastic cover, which is obviously designed to be carried around in the junior doctor's white coat during the psychiatric ward rounds! However, don't let that put you off buying a copy for yourself, because if you're a mental health worker/nurse it will be equally as useful.

The book is divided into chapters covering a vast range of topics including a detailed explanation of the Mental Health Act 1983 (including the proposed changes), child and adolescent psychiatry, when to refer to specialists, drug and alcohol misuse, eating disorders, treatments for mental illness including ECT, in addition to several checklists and formats for interviewing older people, adults and children presenting with psychiatric symptoms. One of the most useful chapters is on dealing with specific problems commonly encountered in psychiatry such as how to cope with clients becoming dependent on you, buying you gifts, requesting you prescribe controlled drugs etc.

Overall, the Maudsley Handbook of Practical Psychiatry is essential reading for all professionals working in the area of mental health, and even those who simply have a personal interest in psychiatry including mental health service users themselves."
~ Written on 2004-11-08