In Psychiatry, and despite the initial naming of schizophrenia by Kraepelin as dementia praecox (early dementia), little attention has been paid to the cognitive impairment of patients with psychiatric disorders until today.

Psychiatrists are not adequately trained and do not focus their attention on the cognitive problems of their patients. Likewise, the provided neuropsychological rehabilitation services are usually lacking. This results in clinical practice giving minimal attention to the decline in cognitive functions of patients, which largely determines the long-term outcome.

Neuropsychological rehabilitation of psychiatric disorders, without substituting psychiatric treatments – biological, psychological, and psychosocial rehabilitation – aims to improve or modify a brain process or processes and thus enhance daily functionality.

This book, beyond its particular importance for psychiatrists, represents a rare example of international collaboration that encompasses all available knowledge for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with brain-mental disorders. It is particularly useful for those who care for patients-clients with brain-mental injuries-diseases due to the unique complexity and demands of these phenomena.

Philippos Gourzis
Professor of Psychiatry