Introduction

Abstract

Psychiatry is a distinct branch of medicine that focuses on mental health exploration, classification of mental disorders, therapeutic interventions, and the enhancement of psychological well-being. The ethical principles of psychiatry are grounded in medical ethics but possess unique features, setting them apart from other medical disciplines. The interaction between psychiatry and ethics is complex and multifaceted due to the distinctive nature of psychiatric practice and contemporary ethical challenges in the field. This book aspires to adopt a comprehensive perspective to encompass the intricate and interwoven complexities inherent in psychiatric ethics. In pursuit of this objective, the first two chapters are dedicated to a thorough exposition of the historical trajectory of psychiatry and psychiatry ethics. The third chapter focuses on ethical issues and dilemmas specific to psychiatry ethics. This section is followed by the chapter on methodology of ethical reasoning, providing a detailed exposition of the methods employed in psychiatry ethics. The aim of the methodology section is to comprehensively expound upon established methodologies, underpinned by scientific evidence, to address ethical quandaries and dilemmas encountered in clinical ethics in a rational, equitable, and timely manner. The case analysis section serves as a demonstration of how the approaches outlined in the methodology section are applied to real-life cases. The cases presented in this section have been curated and narrated by the authors of this book, drawing inspiration from their real-life experiences. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.