Essential Psychopharmacology explains the neurobiological concepts underlying the drug treatment of psychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on the principles of chemical neurotransmission. For the student learning psychopharmacology for the first time, this book provides an easily readable introduction to the subject. For the physician or scientist with prior background in the field, the book is organised to provide a quick review of the key dimensions of psychopharmacology and the drug treatment of mental illness. The clearly written text is supplemented by a wealth of high-quality colour graphics that are both instructive and entertaining. These illustrations and their captions may be used independently of the main text for a rapid introduction to the field, or for review. Covering both the neurobiology of drug action, and the range of psychiatric disorders and their treatments, this book will indeed be an essential text for students, scientists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals.