The "family" of psychiatry.

The relationship between child and adult psychiatry has been a chequered one. At times there seems to have been a drifting apart or indeed a deliberate distancing. Some of this could be attributed to different areas of emphasis and necessary differences in practice. Some has been influenced by different funding patterns and resources. Yet the commonalities of .mutual interest of the two groups have always predominated over the differences, and at this time a much closer relationship is developing. This is partly a result of changes in the whole practice of psychiatry .and on the social scene, and partly due to greater receptivity on both sides for a pooling of complementary resources and skills. In the area of teaching, considerable thought about increasing practice of joint teaching has developed over recent years, both in undergraduate and postgraduate areas, and has proved to be an enjoyable and profitable experience not only for students but for staff who simultaneously sharpen up areas of skills which may have become rusty from unuse or out-dated by recent developments. Joint teaching rounds have contributed a dimension of understanding that has lessened the distancing and indicated the value of collaboration. In adult psychiatry, the rapid advances in the pharmacotherapy of mental disorders have created an atmosphere of greater optimism, more rapid discharge of patients, and an increased component of outpatient therapy. While child psychiatry is less well served by the use of pharmacological approaches, advances are proceeding rapidly in this field as well. Indeed, the use of medication in the THE "FAMILY" OF PSYCHIATRY