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The last few years have seen an increase in the research of psychic well-being and positive mental health. A positive point of view refers not only to pleasure but also to the ability to act in a constructive manner in challenging situations, and effectively regulate negative feelings and stress. Although a positive state of mind is often a passing experience, it can also be developed. Analogously, effective methods tested in a controlled manner have been established for the development of positive capabilities. It is furthermore possible to promote psychic well-being through exercise, healthy diet and practicing mindfulness.

Catatonia is associated with psychomotor symptoms and severe disturbances of executive functioning. While the prognosis is good in most cases, malignant catatonia still continues to occur. The first-line choice for drug therapy is lorazepam, which usually results in a good response. In catatonic stupor, i.e. immobility and stupor, the first-line therapy is electrotherapy, preferably at an earliest possible stage. In mania, catatonia may become manifest also as psychomotor excitement. Electrotherapy can be used primarily in malignant catatonia, with dantrolene and bromocriptin also finding use in a critical situation.

Borderline personality disorder is a severe disorder that increases disability to a considerable extent. Emotional instability, difficulties in regulating behavior and interpersonal relationships are essential features of the disorder. Borderline personality disorder has a more favorable course than previously thought. Dialectic behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, mentalization therapy and transference-focused psychotherapy seem to be effective. Hospital treatment should be carried out primarily in day hospital settings. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers may be used for a range of symptoms. SSRIs may be useful in the treatment of impulsivity and aggression. Benzodiazepines should be avoided.

In 2010, a quarter of direct healthcare cost in Europe were spent on brain diseases. The importance of preventing and treating brain diseases and maintaining of functional capacity of the brain will increase in our society with ageing population and with increasing cognitive requirements of modern working life. Public funding of basic and clinical neuroscience has, however, frozen to levels achieved years ago, clinical research of brain diseases being at a particular risk. Research projects directed to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of brain diseases will pay off, also when assessed by economic measures.

Internet addiction is defined as uncontrolled and harmful use of Internet, which manifests in three forms: gaming, various sexual activities and excessive use of emails, chats or SMS messaging. Several studies have found that abuse of alcohol and other substances, depression and other health problems are associated with Internet addiction. In boys and men depression may be more a consequence of the addiction than a cause for it. ADHD seems to be a significant background factor for developing the condition. Because it is almost impossible to lead a life without Internet and computers nowadays, it is unrealistic to aim towards full abstinence. Treatment has generally followed the guidelines adapted for pathological gambling.

Revisions of both psychiatric classifications, ICD and DSM are in progress. The ICD-11 is scheduled to be published at the earliest in 2011 and the DSM-V in 2013. The scientific basis for a criteria-based psychiatric classification was created in the 1950's when the concept of construct validity was outlined. Additionally, revision of classification of psychiatric disorders was dealt with in several international meetings that made efforts to increase the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses. Central issues in revisions have been, e.g., utility, heterogeneity and overlapping of the categories. Presently, one of the main themes is incorporating dimensional assessment into diagnostics. However, mere dimensionality as grounds for classification, would lead to too much complexity. It is liable that category disorders will be used also in the future in psychiatric classifications.

Psychosis poses a major challenge for natural selection. The heritability of psychotic disorders is considerable and psychosis is associated with decreased reproductive success. Natural selection has not succeeded in eliminating the genes that predispose to the illness. Yet natural selection is considered to prune those features that decrease reproductive success. This paper deals with various evolutionary psychiatric models of major psychoses. According to Burns's model it is argued that psychosis may be the high price that humans have to pay for the evolution of their complex social brains. The same genes that have helped to shape our humanity carry the risk of psychosis. As such the genes would confer an evolutionary advantage, but their incremental effect would increase the risk of psychosis.

There is a dearth of solid scientific data on the effectiveness of regular psychiatric outpatient care. Models for psychiatric community treatment rose from pioneering work, but these models have been tested in a reletively small number of high quality randomized and controlled trials. Some of psychiatric hospital care could be replaced by day-hospital care and use of hospital treatment may be decreased among some of the patients with severe psychiatric disorders by using home-based care by mental health teams. Early intervention in psychosis may provide possibilities to decrease need of hospital care. Closure of psychiatric hospitals is unlikely to lead to the development of community care. High quality care necessitates follow-up of effectiveness and, additionally, good working conditions, where treatment may be applied according to the best information available.