Clinical Staging in Psychiatry

Patrick D. McGorry · Ian B. Hickie

Aug 2019 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

Psychiatric diagnosis is experiencing a crisis of confidence. Current approaches are outmoded, with reform desperately needed. Clinical staging is a solution to this crisis. Clinical staging addresses the limitations of current diagnostic systems by recognising the full continuum or trajectory of mental illness from asymptomatic to chronic illness. It acknowledges the overlap between mental health symptoms during early stages and directly links each stage to treatment and underlying cognitive, neurological and biological changes. This approach enhances chances of early identification, promotes the implementation of safer treatments, and increases opportunities to alter the negative trajectory of mental disorders. This book comprehensively describes the conceptual basis of clinical staging in psychiatry, details current progress in identifying biomarkers for each stage, and explores the implications of staging on treatment and health systems. This book provides a foundation for transformational reform in psychiatric diagnosis.

About the author

Patrick McGorry is a world-leading clinician, researcher and reformer in early psychosis, early intervention and youth mental health. He played an integral role in the development of safe, effective treatments and innovative research for young people with emerging mental disorders. He has published extensively and is a Fellow of numerous academies including the Australian Academy of Science. Ian Hickie is an internationally renowned researcher in clinical psychiatry. He was an inaugural Commissioner on Australia's National Mental Health Commission (2012-18) overseeing enhanced accountability for mental health reform and suicide prevention. In this role and his independent research, health system and advocacy roles, Professor Hickie has been at the forefront of the move to have mental health and suicide prevention integrated with other aspects of health care.