This new edition of the handbook, perhaps better known as the 'Orange book', provides essential practical guidance on the psychiatric and neuropsychiatric examination and interviewing of adults and children, a core skill and the basis for reaching a diagnosis and defining a treatment plan. It also covers special interview situations, such as how to deal with specific patient reactions, and with other special problems, such as how to conduct a complicated assessment, for example in cases of autism or self harm. The final chapters explain when to refer to experts, describe early treatment interventions and the book concludes by describing some important legal and service organisation issues. The text is supported by some useful appendices for ready-reference. Professor Robin Murray joins Sir David Goldberg as co-editor, and in keeping with previous editions, the text has been revised and rewritten with the full and active involvement of a group of consultant psychiatrists and trainees. This is essential reading for all trainee psychiatrists and will also be of interest to other mental health specialists and medical students.