This book was the end product of life experiences, thoughts and intellectual wanderings of the author, who through his career and for the last twenty years was always serving all the three aspects of a Psychiatrist: He is a clinician, a researcher and an academic teacher. The book includes a comprehensive history of Psychiatry since antiquity and until today, with an emphasis not only on main events but also specifically and with much detail and explanations, on the chain of events that led to a particular development. At the center of this work is the question 'What is mental illness?' and 'Does free will exist?'. These are questions which tantalize Psychiatrists, neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, patients and their families and the sensitive and educated lay persons alike. Thus, the book includes a comprehensive review and systematic elaboration on the definition and the concept of mental illness, a detailed discussion on the issue of free will as well as the state ofthe art of contemporary Psychiatry and the socio-political currents it has provoked.

Finally the book includes a description of the academic, social and professional status of Psychiatry and Psychiatrists and a view of future needs and possible developments.

A last moment addition was the chapter on conspiracy theories, as a consequence of the experience with the social media and the public response to the COVID-19 outbreak which coincided with the final stage of the preparation of the book. Their study is an excellent opportunity to dig deep into the relation among human psychology, mental health, the society and politics and to swim in intellectually dangerous waters.

Foreword by Afzal Javed WPA President

Foreword by Norman Sartorius, former WPA President
Prologue
Guide to read this book
The origins of Psychiatry
<b>Part A</b>: The historical roots
Introductory remarks to history
Antiquity
Middle ages
Renaissance
Early modern period
The Enlightenment
Nineteenth century: the romantic first half
Nineteenth century: the realistic second half
Twentieth century: the pre-psychopharmacologic era
Twentieth century: the era of psychopharmacology
<b>Part B</b>: The Philosophical and scientific roots
Introductory remarks to the philosophical roots
The concept and definition of mental illness
Mental health
Disability in mental disorders
The mind-brain problem and the issue of Free Will
<b>Part C</b>: The identity of modern psychiatry
Introductory remarks to the identity of modern psychiatry
The state of the art
Psychiatry among the other medical specialties
Psychiatry as a professional activity
Psychiatry among human, life and social sciences, philosophy and religion
Psychiatry and society
Anti-Psychiatry
Post-Psychiatry
Conspiracy theories
The future of Psychiatry.<p></p>