History of psychiatry and the psychiatric profession.
OBJECTIVE
The present article reviews the English language literature on the history of psychiatry published within the previous year.


RESULTS
Research has been conducted in the history of clinical syndromes, famous people and psychiatrists, psychiatric institutions, treatments and legislations. The importance of the sociocultural contexts has been shown, particularly in research emanating from Europe and North America, which addresses late 18th to late 20th century issues.


CONCLUSIONS
Much varied and important research on the history of psychiatry is being performed around the world. This scholarship provides insight into the cultural context and ways in which psychiatry was practised in the past and can help shed light on the way in which psychiatry is conducted today.
Beer
Michael D
MD
Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, London, UK. dominic.beer@oxleas.nhs.uk
D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000266:history; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000266:history; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence