The incidence of aggression and violence is of wide concern. It is therefore vital that we try to understand the mechanisms involved. This book outlines definitions and theories of aggressive behaviour and points out the contribution of both biological and psychological factors. Aggression primarily occurs within an interpersonal exchange and is often accompanied by increased arousal and negative feelings. It is most likely to occur in response to provocation but individuals differ in what they consider constitutes provocation. Aggressive behaviour is both multicausal and multifaceted but in order to study it, we have to break it down into components and find ways in which to measure these. This book describes a body of research examining the conditions under which the behavioural, affective and physiological components of aggression are elicited. A specific experimental technique which measures behavioural aggression in the laboratory is described. The task was found to be sensitive to individual differences in aggressive disposition. Aggression is not, however, confined to a small group of extremely hostile individuals. Alcohol or substance abuse is often associated with aggression in the general population. The results of some studies examining the effects of alcohol and benzodiazepines on the feelings and behaviour of healthy volunteers are reported. The way in which people appraise a situation influences the way they feel and behave. These drugs, therefore, impair the ability to process socially relevant information which, in turn, lowers the threshold at which aggressive behaviour is likely to occur. It is only by continuing to study the complex interaction between pharmacological and psychological factors that we will gain more insight into the processes underlying aggressive behaviour.

Contents:
The Psychology of Aggression. The Psychopharmacology of Aggression. Methods - General Approaches and Experimental Techniques. Behavioural Aggression in a Clinical Group. The Effects of Benzodiazepines on Behavioural Aggression. The Effects of Alprazolam on Behavioural Aggression. General Discussion and Conclusions.

Many recent discoveries in both laboratory and clinical settings have greatly increased our understanding of sleep medicine and the relevant psychopharmacology. This timely book serves to present updated information about the neuropsychopharmacology of sleep as this field enters mainstream psychiatry, neurology and medicine This volume has assembled articles that summarize and review carefully, a chosen selection of the latest discoveries concerning sleep medicine, sleep physiology and sleep pharmacology. Outstanding contributions have been sought from acknowledged experts in their respective fields. The goal of the volume is to present the more recent developments and advances in the fields of sleep and neuropsychopharmacology, as well as to provide a context for considering them both in depth and from multidisciplinary perspectives. This volume brings together the collective expertise of clinicians and basic researchers who represent a range of interests in neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sleep physiology, and biological rhythms. Presenting a thoughtful balance of basic experimental and clinical facts and viewpoints, this book will serve as a foundation for understanding, and ultimately treating, sleep disorders.

The easing of mental suffering by treatments which directly affect the substance of the brain has a long history and an established place in psychiatric practice. This new edition of a highly successful book reviewing the current status of these treatment methods has been updated to include discussion of new groups of compounds and also new families of drugs which have come into greater prominence, such as newer antidepressants, The book is concerned particularly with clinical practice and discusses in detail the management of individual conditions and the use of psychotropic drugs. The rational and effective use of these techniques needs an understanding of the scientific background, and chapters are devoted to basic pharmacology, the evaluation of treatment methods, the development of new techniques, the psychosocial and politico-ethical aspects of treatment, and the special problems encountered in treating children and the elderly. The economic aspects of prescribing are also outlined. The book will be of interest to psychiatrists, especially those reading for postgraduate qualifications, to those dealing with the mentally ill, and to neruopharmacologists who wish to understand current treatment methods in clincial psychiatry.