Observations of child psychiatry in China

Child and adolescent psychiatry in the People's Republic of China is discussed following a brief visit and literature review. The Chinese practice of psychiatry is the same for adults and children, and primarily involves the treatment of severely disturbed patients in psychiatric hospitals. There is also a trend toward movement into the community and the schools as a result of the Chinese focus on Attention Deficit Disorders. Antisocial and delinquent behaviours, developmental problems, relationship and family problems, and reactions to illness and hospitalization are not handled by psychiatrists but by others in the local communities. These problems are managed, however, and with the shortage of child psychiatrists the arrangement may be appropriate.