The turning of American psychiatry

Philosophic changes and the "re-medicalization" of psychiatry in the past half century are associated with: evolution of the biopsychosocial model; new techniques for biologic studies; drug treatment for mental disorders; funding for research and training; and development of a criteria-based nosology for psychiatric disorders. The last development owes much to the work of four Washington University faculty members, beginning in the 1950's. The second part of this paper will examine their early careers and the institutional policies that fostered their work.