The Psychiatry Discipline was created in the Faculty of Medicine Craiova, in the academic year 1975 - 1976, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Alexandru Olaru, associate professor. The first full professor was Dr. Tudor Udriștoiu, appointed as assistant professor on May 3rd 1977.
For a period of 10 years it worked at the Podari Ward, with great difficulties, caused by the total lack of teaching facilities, overcrowding and totally unsuitable conditions for patient care.
Since 1986 the discipline has moved to its present location, which has offered partially improved conditions for both teaching and patients.
Since 1990, an extensive action of modernization of the clinic began, by reducing the number of beds, general improvement of conditions and patient care, establishment of the Day Hospital, various facilities, staff training, with beneficial consequences on university and postgraduate education (training and residency).
The main areas of scientific research in recent years have been epidemiology and psychiatric care, modern therapy of depression and schizophrenia, forensic psychiatry, alcoholism.
The scientific activity has resulted in numerous papers published in the country and abroad with participation in prestigious national and international events (Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France, England). Courses have been developed for students of General Medicine and Dentistry, books have been published.
In recent years the discipline has developed, providing both high quality (but perfectible) undergraduate and postgraduate education and high competence in patient care.
The main problem to be solved in the future would be modernisation and endowment, especially concerning teaching and scientific research.