MPM2000

Descriptive psychiatry (semester 2)

Dr A Cockram and Dr M Snellen

Synopsis Descriptive psychiatry is structured into three broad groups. The first three sessions are introductory seminars about the aims of the course, development as a psychiatrist, the concept of mental illness, and interviewing techniques. The next group of seminars is devoted to providing the candidate with different perspectives of psychiatry. To this end, seminars on the contribution of psychodynamic, behavioural/cognitive, social sciences, biological sciences and systems theory are included. The third group of seminars attempts to provide the candidate with a broad overview of a large number of psychiatric disorders. While providing an introduction to the specific disorders, there is an emphasis on considering the disorder from different perspectives.

Assessment One minor essay (2 000 words) based on clinical material

Recommended texts

McHugh P and Slavney P The perspectives of psychiatry Johns Hopkins U P, 1986