"This text examines common dilemmas and problems in an engaging and accessible way, and the use of case studies relates the principles discussed to identifiable psychiatric settings. This new edition has been revised and expanded to reflect changes in clinical practice in recent years. New chapters have been added covering the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, fragmented interviews and 'impossible' clinical situations such as the assessment of intoxicated patients and rhetorical interviews." -- Publisher.

Diagnosis -- History -- Mental state examination and psychopathology -- Cognitive state examination and organic disease -- Office-based psychiatric assessment -- Understanding and managing relationships with patients -- Difficulties relating to psychosis -- Unpopular patients -- Values and beliefs -- Culture -- Who should i be? -- Interviewing with other team members -- Interviewing families and other informants -- In the community -- Fragmented interviewing and assessment -- 'Impossible' assessments -- Neurodevelopmental assessment -- Personality -- Risk and safety -- Record keeping and reports.