Many published books that comment on the medical model have been written by doctors, who assume that readers have the same knowledge of medicine, or by those who have attempted to discredit and attack the medical practice. Both types of book have tended to present diagnostic categories in medicine as universally scientifically valid examples of clear-cut diseases easily distinguished from each other and from health; with a fixed prognosis; and with a well-understood aetiology leading to disease-reversing treatments. These are contrasted with psychiatric diagnoses and treatments, which are described as unclear and inadequate in comparison. The Medical Model in Mental Health: An Explanation and Evaluation explores the overlap between the usefulness of diagnostic constructs (which enable prognosis and treatment decisions) and the therapeutic effectiveness of psychiatry compared with general medicine. The book explains the medical model and how it applies in mental health, assuming little knowledge or experience of medicine, and defends psychiatry as a medical practice.

"The book reads like a young man's quest to find the truth. For a nerdy psychiatrist, this book brings more anticipation and excitement than any Star Wars movie ... I am eagerly anticipating the sequel[.]" - Shuichi Suetani, Australasian Psychiatry

"This truly is a unique book that has no comparisons. Those interested in this book should understand that they can't just read it, they need to slowly study it to get the most from it." - Aaron Plattner, MD, Doodys

"In response to growing library of books and papers that critique psychiatry as a medical approach to mental health problems, Samei Huda, a consultant psychiatrist, has written a comprehensive retort. ... the book is richly detailed and closely argued, providing a valuable (and as far as I know unique) trove of data on comparative treatment efficacy, social and biological risk factors and many other issues." - Huw Green, Discursive of Tunbridge Wells

"Huda's book provides a cutting edge, state-of-the-art summary and evaluation of diagnostic reliability and outcome data that will help patients and researchers alike interpret new studies, as Huda provides an excellent reference point for assessing the magnitude of effects. Dr. Huda's work is a breath of fresh air in what can seem like the social media disinformation whirlpool." - Daniel Winarick, Psychology Today