The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience publishes book reviews in three categories: brief or extended reviews of recently published books and reviews of historically significant books. The format aims to provide diverse content and encourage creative expression from reviewers. The book "Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study," edited by Lee N. Robins and Darrell N. Regier, is a detailed account of a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to address the needs of mental health services in the U.S. The study involved five centers and a total sample of about 20,000 individuals, with data collected from over 250,000 people in each location. The study used the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) to assess psychiatric disorders, which was developed to incorporate DSM-III criteria and could be administered by lay interviewers. The study found that 32% of the population had or had had a psychiatric disorder (lifetime prevalence), and 20% had an active disorder (one-year prevalence). Comorbidity was a significant finding, with most individuals having more than one disorder. The study also highlighted differences in disorder prevalence by age, sex, marital status, employment, and social class. It noted that the elderly had lower rates of psychiatric disorders, possibly due to higher mortality rates among those with mental illness. The study emphasized the importance of understanding comorbidity and the need for comprehensive evaluations of patients. It also highlighted the low rates of treatment for certain disorders, such as antisocial personality and alcohol abuse, and the need for improved service delivery. The study provided valuable data on the frequency, symptoms, and recognition of disorders, as well as the likelihood of recovery. The book is a comprehensive resource on psychiatric disorders, important for clinical work, health promotion, prevention, and future research. It is recommended for psychiatrists, residents, mental health workers, and the public. However, results should be interpreted with caution when extrapolating to other settings, as there was considerable variation between sites within the U.S. The study also contributed to the development of methodologies for comparable studies in other locations and has potential for internationally comparable research.The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience publishes book reviews in three categories: brief or extended reviews of recently published books and reviews of historically significant books. The format aims to provide diverse content and encourage creative expression from reviewers. The book "Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study," edited by Lee N. Robins and Darrell N. Regier, is a detailed account of a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to address the needs of mental health services in the U.S. The study involved five centers and a total sample of about 20,000 individuals, with data collected from over 250,000 people in each location. The study used the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) to assess psychiatric disorders, which was developed to incorporate DSM-III criteria and could be administered by lay interviewers. The study found that 32% of the population had or had had a psychiatric disorder (lifetime prevalence), and 20% had an active disorder (one-year prevalence). Comorbidity was a significant finding, with most individuals having more than one disorder. The study also highlighted differences in disorder prevalence by age, sex, marital status, employment, and social class. It noted that the elderly had lower rates of psychiatric disorders, possibly due to higher mortality rates among those with mental illness. The study emphasized the importance of understanding comorbidity and the need for comprehensive evaluations of patients. It also highlighted the low rates of treatment for certain disorders, such as antisocial personality and alcohol abuse, and the need for improved service delivery. The study provided valuable data on the frequency, symptoms, and recognition of disorders, as well as the likelihood of recovery. The book is a comprehensive resource on psychiatric disorders, important for clinical work, health promotion, prevention, and future research. It is recommended for psychiatrists, residents, mental health workers, and the public. However, results should be interpreted with caution when extrapolating to other settings, as there was considerable variation between sites within the U.S. The study also contributed to the development of methodologies for comparable studies in other locations and has potential for internationally comparable research.