Foundations of Biochemical Psychiatry provides information pertinent to the development of biochemical psychiatry, including biochemical studies of psychiatric patients before and after pharmacological intervention and genetic studies. This book discusses the development of biochemical psychiatry as a significant experimental and conceptual approach to understanding mental illness. Organized into 24 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the neurochemical processes involved in the elaboration of a behavior and the extent to which alterations in those processes are responsible for behavioral differences. This text then discusses the clinical characteristics of schizophrenia, including common symptoms, natural history, and subtypes. Other chapters consider the contribution of genetic factors to the etiology of schizophrenia. This book discusses as well the similarities among hallucinations, dreams, and primary process thinking. The final chapter deals with the factors that may influence the neuroendocrine system. This book is a valuable resource for psychiatrists, neuropharmacologists, neurobiologists, behavioral biologists, and psychoanalysts.

1. Introduction to Fundamental Concepts Abnormal Behavior Biochemical Considerations Research Strategies2. Schizophrenia Clinical Description Treatment Reading Selections3. Affective Disorders Classification Treatment Reading Selections4. Neurosis Classification Treatment Reading Selections5. The Hyperactive Child Syndrome Clinical Description Treatment Reading Selections6. Alcoholism Clinical Description Treatment Reading Selection7. Psychoendocrinology Neuroendocrine Function Clinical Research Reading Selection8. References9. GlossaryIndex