Another part, the autonomic nervous system, controls involuntary events of which we are unaware, such as the beating of our heart and gut motility, analogous to computer programs running in the background. And like computers we also have an area devoted to memory, where information is stored. We still know very little about how the system is integrated, i.e. the human 'operating system', but we do know that internal communication is brought about via chemical 'messengers'. Too many or too few of these molecules, an imbalance amongst them, or their presence in the wrong place can cause problems. This may well be one of the causes of mental illnesses.

Psychiatry is concerned with the investigation and treatment of patients with a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. Mental disorders are more common than most people realise. The precise causes of these disorders are unknown, although it is believed that some forms of mental illness are caused by brain damage, developmental errors and hereditary factors. Many people who visit their doctors are suffering from mental rather than physical disorders.

Do you want to know more about our R&D expertise in this field?
Please explore Psychiatry24x7, our Internet site completely dedicated to schizophrenia and other psychoses, or Mentalwellness, a US site devoted to this subject.