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“An extremely valuable introduction to the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders.”

—Doody's Review Service (on the second edition)


“This is an excellent book.”

—Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic (on the first edition)


“The material in this book is highly relevant....I would like to see this book as required reading for all our medical students and psychiatric residents and would highly recommend it to biologically oriented psychologists, doctoral-level pharmacists, and other suitably prepared students and clinicians.”

—Psychiatric Services (on the first edition)


“An important introductory resource for mental health clinicians who are interested in understanding how neurobiological advances can lead to new treatment and social policies for those who suffer from mental illness....The author has done a commendable job in trying to describe, in simple language, how the brain influences behavior and what impact that has on our understanding of the etiology of mental illness.”

—Psychological Medicine (on the first edition)


“This book is well written and crafted in an engaging style that captures the reader's attention....The book does an excellent job of covering as much as possible on an extremely broad and intricate topic....An excellent book that is highly recommended for all mental health professionals. It is also a great introductory text for teaching in psychiatric residency programs, particularly for residents who are interested in the study of genetics and mental illness.”

—Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (on the first edition)


“Dr. Pliszka has made an important contribution in helping mental health clinicians to orient themselves to the imperatives of neuroscience and the possibilities for future advancement.”

—Community Mental Health Journal (on the first edition)


“Written by a leading psychiatrist, this indispensable resource seamlessly bridges cutting-edge neurobiology with practical clinical application. The third edition captures a decade of revolutionary breakthroughs in the areas of multi-node neural networks, neuroimmunology, clinical genetics, machine learning, and more. Pliszka avoids oversimplification, arming practitioners with the nuances needed to debunk psychiatric misconceptions. The figures and tables are meticulously designed to offer exceptional utility. Clinicians gain the scientific literacy required to confidently explain complex neurobiological mechanisms to patients and to guide evidence-based treatment decisions. For advanced clinical training, graduate-level psychopathology courses, or psychiatry residencies, this text provides a fine instructional framework.”

—Stephen V. Faraone, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University


“Every practicing mental health provider should have a copy of this book. To fully understand the biological bases of the conditions we treat is to offer a higher standard of care to our patients. The third edition distills the latest science on the neurobiology of common mental disorders, translating complexities into usable psychoeducation. It is fascinating to read, going beyond basics to timely topics such as genetics, inflammation, and hormonal influences on the brain. A great refresher and update for professionals!”

—Margaret Sibley, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine

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About the Author

Steven R. Pliszka, MD, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences in the Joe R. and Theresa Long Lozano School of Medicine at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He served as Chair of the Department from 2015 to 2023, and from 1995 until 2015 he was Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Throughout his career, Dr. Pliszka has been involved in a wide range of administrative, research, clinical, and educational activities. His research focuses on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disorders; he was involved with numerous clinical trials of medications for ADHD. Dr. Pliszka also has been involved in several projects to integrate mental health services into pediatric primary care and school settings. He serves as the attending psychiatrist at two residential facilities for children with severe behavioral and emotional disorders.

• All titles by Steven R. Pliszka

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Audience

Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, clinical social workers, and other clinicians working with children or adults; graduate students and psychiatric residents.

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Course Use

May serve as a text in graduate-level courses and psychiatry residency programs.

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

Second Edition, © 2016
ISBN: 9781462527113

First Edition, © 2003
ISBN: 9781593850784

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New to this edition:

• Chapters on trauma-related disorders and substance use disorders.
• Chapter on the role of hormones in behavior.
• Chapter on neuroscience methods, including neuroimaging, genetics, and neuroimmunology.
• Integrates important advances in brain research and mental health treatments; enhanced graphics include 3D brain illustrations and 7 color plates.