Depression

The term "depression" covers a wide spectrum of conditions ranging from mild despondency to melancholia, the very deepest form of depression. Natural despondency is not a disease but simply a part of life. Depression, however, is a common psychiatric illness that must be identified and treated in the same manner as other illnesses. Depression: The Facts, Second Edition provides a simple, yet comprehensive overview of depression for sufferers, their friends, and families. It contains case-study descriptions and can serve as a quick-reference for those with a medical background. It succinctly details the signs and symptoms of clinical depression, as well as the process of diagnosis and the different subtypes, including major depression, dysthymia, manic depression disorders, and seasonal affective disorder. The second part of the book covers the current understanding of the causes of depression, based on the scientific evidence. The book concludes with a review of treatment options and practical guidance on self-help in depression, as well as useful advice for family and friends. The main aim of this book is to reach those who need help and want to understand themselves and their condition more, in an easy-to-read format without an excess of medical terminology and statistics that may overwhelm the non-medically trained individual. All concepts have been broken down into bullet-points and sub-headings, to allow easy digestion of the concepts and information. This empowers the reader, and may ultimately prompt someone to seek help and support.

Danuta Wasserman is a specialist in general psychiatry and has a psychotherapeutic training. She is an active member of several professional organizations. On a national and Nordic level, Danuta Wasserman has built up the National Centre for the Prevention of Mental Ill-Health and Suicide (NASP) and a strong Nordic research network on the prevention of mental disorders. She has the first Professorship in Europe in Psychiatry and Suicidology, established in 1995 at the Karolinska Institutet. Professor Wasserman received several significant Research Awards, such as the Stengel Award from the International Association for Suicide Prevention, for outstanding contributions in the field of suicide research and prevention; Distinguished Research Award: from the American Foundation for Suicide Research; Hans-Rost-Prize, German Association for Suicide Prevention; and the Nordic Public Health Prize by the Nordic Council of Ministers of Health.

Preface
Part 1 Symptoms of depression
1. Sorrow and natural despondency
2. Mood disorders
3. Seasonal depressions
4. Depression in childhood and adolescence
5. Women, men, and depression
6. The elderly and depression
7. Physical illness, pain, symptoms, and depression
8. Substance abuse and depression
9. Eating disturbances and depression
10. Anxiety and depression
11. Sleep and depression
Part 2 Causes of depression
12. Biological theories on the causes of depression
13. Psychological theories of depression
14. Nature or nurture: what matters most?
Part 3 Treatment of depression
15. When to see a doctor and subsequent treatment
16. Treatment with antidepressant medication
17. Sexuality, depression, and antidepressant medication
18. Electroconvulsive therapy and light therapy
19. Psychological forms of treatment
20. Advice to family members
21. Self-help in depression
22. Suicide and depression: when zest for life is gone