292 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    292 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    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.

    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

    Biography

    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.