Ethical issues inherent in psychiatric research and clinical practice are invariably complex and multi-faceted.  Well-reasoned ethical decision-making is essential to deal effectively with patients and promote optimal patient care. Drawing on the positive reception of Psychiatric Ethics since its first publication in 1981, this highly anticipated 5th edition offers psychiatrists and other mental health professionals a coherent guide to dealing with the diverse ethical issues that challenge them.

This edition has been substantially updated to reflect the many changes that have occurred in the field during the past decade. Its 25 chapters are grouped into three sections which cover: 1) clinical practice in child and adolescent psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, psychogeriatrics, community psychiatry and forensic psychiatry; 2) relevant basic sciences such as neuroethics and genetics; and 3) philosophical and social contexts including  the history of ethics in psychiatry and the nature of professionalism.  Principal aspects of clinical practice in general, such as confidentiality, boundary violations, and involuntary treatment, are covered comprehensively as is a new chapter on diagnosis.

Given the contributors' expertise in their respective fields, Psychiatric Ethics will undoubtedly continue to serve as a significant resource for all mental health professionals, whatever the role they play in psychiatry. It will also benefit students of moral philosophy in their professional pursuits.

New to this edition:

• Provides an in-depth discussion of the ethical issues most relevant to psychiatry, addressing clinical, research, policy, legal, cultural, and philosophical issues in the field.
• Written and edited by world-recognised experts in the field of psychiatric ethics.
• All chapters have been fully revised to reflect changes to the field.
• Includes a new chapter on the ethical aspects of diagnosis.

Section A Historical, philosophical and social context
1: Sidney Bloch and Stephen A Green: The scope of psychiatric ethics
2: Louis C Charland: A historical perspective
3: Tom L Beauchamp: The philosophical dimension
4: Richard Martinez and Philip Candilis: Narrative ethics
5: Michael Laney and John Z Sadler: Psychiatric diagnosis
6: Margaret Coady: Psychiatric ethics and the professions
7: Robert van Voren and Robert Keukens: The abuse of psychiatry
8: James E. Sabin and Norman Daniels: Allocation of mental health resources
9: Stephen A Green: Psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry
10: Sidney Bloch and Felicity Kenn: Codes of psychiatric ethics

Section B Core issues in psychiatric ethics
11: David Joseph, Melissa Goldstein and Joseph Onek: Confidentiality
12: Christopher Ryan and Jane Bartels: Involuntary hospitalization
13: Sidney Bloch and David Heyd: Suicide
14: Glen Gabbard: Boundary violations
15: Laura Dunn and Laura Roberts: Psychiatric research
16: Charlotte Allan, Anne Farmer and Peter McGuffin: Psychiatric genetics
17: Georg Northoff: Neuroethics

Section C Ethical aspects of clinical psychiatry
18: Mahesh Jayaram, Sarah Farrand, Dennis Velakoulis and Christos Pantelis: Physical treatments
19: Gwen Adshead: The psychotherapies
20:  Adrian Sondheimer, Niranjan Karnik and Peter Jensen: Child and adolescent psychiatry
21: Catherine Oppenheimer and Julian Hughes: Psychiatry of the elderly
22: Philip Candilis and Richard Martinez: Forensic psychiatry
23: George Szmukler: Community psychiatry
24: Michael Robertson and Garry Walter: Trauma and psychiatry
25: Tomer Levin and Christopher Ryan: Consultation-liaison psychiatry

Edited by Sidney Bloch,Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, and Honorary Senior Psychiatrist at St. Vincent's Hospital.

Stephen A. Green,Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine.