This fascinating book brings together a multidisciplinary team of authors from a variety of backgrounds and lived experience who offer insight into the historical roots and current reasons for the hybrid natural and social scientific conceptual platform of psychiatry. The role of values in the development and recovery from mental illness are covered as well as progressive developments, outlining a novel research methodology. Demonstrating the importance of the integration of each main dimension of psychiatry (such as biological, psychological, social, and existential), the book includes values in theory and research in working out the epistemological foundations of psychiatry as an academic discipline and in clinical practice. Covering the major directions from which the subject of mental ill health has been approached (neurobiology, psychoanalysis and the psychotherapies), the common conditions and the controversies surrounding them are explored. Highly relevant to academics, clinicians and students in psychiatry, psychology, primary and social care.

‘Values in Psychiatry by Dr Robert Dudas takes us on a fascinating journey from the historical origins of psychiatry through to understanding its place in Society today. Dr Dudas has assembled an array of authoritative and distinguished authors who remind us of the rich and vibrant nature of psychiatry and how it lies at the juxtaposition between arts and sciences. Particularly compelling is the way in which the importance of values is made accessible through using specific real-world exemplars, including depression, suicide, dementia, personality disorder and psychiatric services This book succeeds in informing, challenging and entertaining. It is highly recommended reading for anyone wishing to know more about mental health conditions and their treatment and the role of psychiatry today, both in clinical care and in Society.’

John O'Brien - Professor of Old Age Psychiatry and NIHR Emeritus Senior Investigator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge