"Lecture Notes on Psychiatry" is a concise book that stresses the clinical approach whilst providing the essential background knowledge required for a thorough grounding in evidence-based psychiatry. The book is aimed primarily at medical students although anyone wanting a lucid account of principles of psychiatric practice will find the book a fount of wisdom. It has been written by a team of experienced teachers and thoroughly reviewed by a general practitioner to ensure that the book is relevant to the modern medical curriculum. The book approaches psychiatry as part of medical practice both within the community and within the hospital setting. A unique chapter on the clinical appraisal of a patient's mental state is followed by clear accounts of the important disorders, their causes and their treatment. It provides a balanced, evidence-based approach, integrating the three essential elements of psychiatry: biology, psychology and sociology.