With this fully revised fourth edition, Dr Stahl returns to the essential roots of what it means to become a neurobiologically empowered psychopharmacologist, expertly guided in the selection and combination of treatments for individual patients in practice. Embracing the unifying themes of 'symptom endophenotypes', dimensions of psychopathology that cut across syndromes, and 'symptoms and circuits', every aspect of the text has been updated to the frontiers of current knowledge, with the clarity of explanation and illustration that only Dr Stahl can bring. Integrating much of the basic neuroscience into the clinical chapters, and with major additions in the areas of psychosis, antipsychotics, antidepressants, impulsivity, compulsivity and addiction, this is the single most readily readable source of information on disease and drug mechanisms. This remains the essential text for all students and professionals in mental health seeking to understand and utilize current therapeutics, and to anticipate the future for novel medications.

ReviewReviews of previous editions: 'essential reading. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who works with psychotropic drugs - or who has the task of teaching others about them.' American Journal of Psychiatry.'The clinically orientated chapters do an impressive job of bringing together the neuropathological basis and psychopharmacological approaches to psychiatric conditions. I would highly recommend this as a concise, entertaining and easily accessible source of information.' Addiction Biology.'If there is one basic Psychopharmacology text for a practitioner or teacher of psychiatric medicine to own, this is it Cleverly illustrated with simple cartoons, this book presents complex information in an easily accessible manner [Stahl's] Essential Psychopharmacology is a first rate book.' The Lancet'An excellent basic textbook covering the key areas of Psychopharmacology. Its concise and structured approach made reading enjoyable I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to all psychiatric trainees.' Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.'As an MRC psychiatry student, I have benefited enormously from studying this book. Stahl has allowed me to see the light in what I previously found to be a very complex subject it has made a fascinating and fulfilling read.' International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.'[Stahl's] Essential Psychopharmacology offers a wide range of readers an engaging and comprehensive view of Psychopharmacology. It is highly recommended to both novice and experienced researchers, who stand to gain a new or renewed appreciation for the complexity and beauty of how the nervous system mediates the behavioral effects of drugs.' Contemporary Psychology.'The book is an excellent source of information for the art of prescribing psychotropic medications. This book belongs in every clinician's library and serves as a model of clarity for others.' Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.'Medical students, psychiatry residents and fellows and experienced clinicians will find the style and content refreshing. I recommend this text as an extremely useful reference work as we enter the next decade of discovery in brain neurosciences and its role in clinical psychiatry.' Psychological Medicine.'We highly recommend this book both to general practitioners who may need information on general mechanisms of psychotropic drugs and to students that would like to learn more about basic Psychopharmacology and its practical applications.' Clinical Neuropsychiatry