Machine generated contents note: 1 What is depression?
Depression ranges from a 'normal' mood state through
to distinct clinical syndromes and disorders. The princi-
pal features of these sub-types are noted.
2 Depression, a common experience
If depression is common, does it have a purpose? Possible
adaptive explanations are considered.
3 Depression classification
The lack of a laboratory test for depression and for
distinguishing important clinical sub-types has led to
simplified approaches to classification. The failure to
concede separate depressive sub-types and their different
responses to varying treatments has led to inappropriate
management strategies.
4 'Clinical' depression
The 'patterns' and clinical features that distinguish
normal depression and non-melancholic depression from
melancholic and psychotic depression, in particular, are
detailed.
5 Unipolar and bipolar disorders
The distinction between unipolar and bipolar disorders
is explored.
6 General features of depression and bipolar
disorders: the experience
Rather than defining features common to most expres-
sions of depression, here features specific to or more
likely to occur within separate depressive conditions are
described. Common clinical features experienced by or
observed in patients who experience 'highs' are also
described.
7 Post-natal mood disorders
Features distinguishing maternity blues, post-natal
depression and puerperal psychotic states are noted.
8 Grief: the experience
Grief is not depression, but more an expression of sep-
aration anxiety or distress. Grief may, however, precede
and overlap with depression. The management of grief
is rarely the same as for depression.
9 Personality styles and non-melancholic depression
Certain personality and temperament styles are over-
represented in those who develop non-melancholic
depression, increasing the chance of developing such
conditions and also of maintaining episodes. Treating
and preventing new episodes often benefit from modi-
fication of personality style.
10 Stress and depressive sub-types
While 'stress' can impact on each 'type' of depression,
links are quite variable. The relevance of stress is con-
sidered.
11 Four vignettes
By using four vignettes, readers consider the roles of
biological, social and other influences on each depressive
sub-type.
12 The biology of depression
In depressive disorders, chemical and neuronal transmis-
sion is disrupted in various ways depending on the
depressive sub-type. Broad mechanisms explaining how
physical, psychological and social interventions may
assist are briefly overviewed.
13 Professional assessment
This chapter details what a patient should expect from
assessment and management by a professional.
14 Drug treatments
The various drugs used for managing mood disorders are
listed, and the view that all antidepressant drugs are
equally effective is challenged. Speed of action and need
for maintenance medication are considered.
15 Electroconvulsive Therapy and Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation
Details about each of these physical treatments are pro-
vided, together with consideration of their roles, their
advantages and how tolerable they are to patients.
16 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The rationale, elements and application of this type of
psychotherapy are considered.
17 Interpersonal Therapy
The theoretical basis and elements of this type of psy-
chotherapy are detailed.
18 Psychotherapies and counselling
The defining characteristics of each treatment approach
are described.
19 Anger management
Those who externalise stress when depressed with bursts
of anger may feel better but those around them may feel
worse. Anger management is described.
20 Matching the treatment to the depression
The 'one size fits all' view of depression suggests that
antidepressant treatments work for all types of de-
pression. This simplistic view is rejected. Treatment
effectiveness for differing depressive sub-types is
explored.
21 Living with someone with depression
The effects of depression on family and friends are
considered together with how they can help.
Appendix: Mood disorders, the artistic temperament
and worldly 'success'.
OBNB doesn't sell books, but you may be able to find a copy at one of these websites:
Dealing with depression : a commonsense guide to mood disorders by Gordon Parker. ISBN 1865085138. Published by Allen & Unwin in 2002. Publication and catalogue information, links to buy online and reader comments.
