First Published in 1978. The primary aim of this book is to provide authoritative accounts of several important topics in the complex and rapidly developing field of psychiatric disorder, presented in such a way as to be of interest and value to those involved in social work, using this term in its widest sense. It was hoped that the series would also be of help to the interested layman who wished an accurate, but not over-technical description of modern developments in mental health practice. The author argues that, with proper support, the practices discussed within could rapidly become one of the most productive areas of preventive medicine and of rationally designed therapy.