The book opens with an historical overview of diagnostic systems and a discussion of how the current DSM system works. The limitations and strengths of this model are discussed, as is the necessity of having a strong working knowledge of the DSMs view of psychopathology. This is followed by an overview of how psychopathology is assessed and how the systems of assessment have derived from the prevailing models of psychopathology. These introductory chapters are followed by chapters covering the DSM Axis I and Axis II adult disorders. Each disorder chapter is organized in a standard format, so there is consistency across each chapter for student study. Each chapter covers: description from DSM, using case example; epidemiology, prevalence (with particular attention to gender and cultural differences), and consequences of the disorder; basic research, including neurobiology and neuroscience of the disorder; translational research regarding the disorder (context, including culture, and disorders); behavioral, social, cognitive, and emotional aspects of the disorder; and treatment of the disorder, using clinical examples showing how psychopathology and assessment influence treatment.