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Depression provides a valuable and accessible resource for students, practitioners, and researchers seeking an up-to-date overview and summary of research-based information about depression. With the help of clinical examples, the authors present chapters covering the hypothesized causes of depression, including genetic and biological factors, life stress, family, and interpersonal contributors to depression.
The third edition extensively updates prior coverage to reflect advances in the field. The presumed causes of depression from both a biological perspective as well as from social and cognitive perspectives are explored in detail. Two chapters explore the most recent developments in pharmacological and biological interventions and in psychological treatments, as well as the prevention of depression. This new edition includes updated discussion about challenges in research, including heterogeneity and diagnosis of depression and proposed solutions, as well as the efficacy and availability of treatments.
Authored by experts in the field who are active researchers and clinicians, Depression provides a state-of-the-art primer for final year undergraduate and postgraduate students, clinicians, professionals, and researchers seeking a broad reference task that critically evaluates research into depression.
List of contents
Table of Contents
Series preface
List of tables and figures
1. Defining and diagnosing depression
Phenomenology of depressive experiences
Diagnosis of depression
Challenges and alternatives to the diagnostic approach
Summary
References
2. Course and consequences of depression
Course of unipolar major depressive disorder
Nature and course of depression in children, adolescents, and older adults
Impaired functioning and consequences of depression
Summary
References
3. Who is affected by depression?
Prevalence of depression
Sociodemographic correlates of depression
Age and depression
Gender differences in depression
Summary
References
4. Biological aspects of depression
Conceptual issues in the biology of depressive disorders
Genetic research in depression
Brain and neuroendocrine functioning and depression
The role of female hormones in depression
Summary
References
5. Cognitive and life stress approaches to depression
Cognitive and information-processing models of depression
Evaluating cognitive vulnerability models
Stressful events and circumstances and their role in depression
Summary
References
6. Social aspects of depression
Depression in the family context
Social behaviours of depressed persons
Summary
References
7. Biological treatment of depression
Antidepressant medications
Nonpharmacological biological treatments
Summary
References
8. Psychological treatments
Psychotherapy approaches to depression
Evaluating the outcome of psychological treatments
Relapse prevention and residual depression
Challenges for psychological treatments
Improving the accessibility and availability of psychological treatments
Prevention of depression
Treating children and adolescents
Summary
References
About the author
Constance Hammen is a professor and clinical psychologist at UCLA, and a cognitive-behavioural therapist.
Edward Watkins is a chartered clinical psychologist at the Mood Disorders Centre, University of Exeter.
Summary
Depression provides a valuable and accessible resource for students, practitioners, and researchers seeking an up-to-date overview and summary of research-based information about depression.
