Child and adult psychiatry: comparison and contrast

Since its development from general psychiatry, child psychiatry has been influenced by its close involvements with the child guidance movement and pediatrics and by the age of its patient population. This has led it to evolve in ways quite distinct from adult psychiatry, so much so that at times the understanding and relationship between the two disciplines has been somewhat strained. This paper relates the development of child psychiatry to its history, its tasks and its patient population, highlighting some of the major differences between child and adult psychiatry. It then looks at why research in child psychiatry has lagged behind research in adult psychiatry. It concludes by discussing tensions between the two disciplines, and why it serves the interests of both professions as well as those of our patients, that a better understanding and collaboration between them be established.