Depressive Disorders (eBook)

Helen Herrman is Professor of Psychiatry at the Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne. She is also Director, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health, Melbourne; Secretary for Publications, World Psychiatric Association; and Regional Vice-President Oceania, World Federation for Mental Health. Professor Maj is President of the World Psychiatric Association. Formerly he has been President of the Italian Psychiatric Association (since 2000); President of the Italian Society of Biological Psychiatry (since 1990); Secretary-General of the Association of European Psychiatrists (2001-2002); President of the Association of European Psychiatrists (2002). Norman Sartorius is President of the International Association for the Promotion of Mental Health Programmes. Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and of the American College of Psychiatry; Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health and Member of WPA Council.

Depressive Disorders 3
Contents 9
Review Contributors 13
Foreword 15
Preface to Third Edition 19
Preface to First Edition 21
1 Diagnosis of Depressive Disorders 23
Commentaries 49
1.1 Four Questions and an Alternative 49
1.2 The Blurring of Caseness in Depressive Disorders 53
1.3 Fresh Look at Alternatives for Diagnosing Depression 57
1.4 Severity and Subtypes of Depression 59
1.5 Severe Depression and Melancholia 62
1.6 The Need to Functionalise Psychiatric Diagnosis 66
2 Pharmacological Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Review 69
Commentaries 97
2.1 Antidepressants: A Well-Evaluated Class of Medications 97
2.2 Many Variables Affect Clinical Response 100
2.3 Challenges in Concept and Practice 103
2.4 The Relevance to Psychiatry in Developing Countries 106
2.5 New Evidence and Caution 108
2.6 Specific Actions, Patient Subgroups and Stages of Illness 110
2.7 The French Experience 114
3 Psychotherapies for Depression in Adults: A Review of Recent Developments 117
Commentaries 154
3.1 The Paradox of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy 154
3.2 Incorporating the Insights of Psychotherapy Research in Everyday Practice 157
3.3 Psychotherapy for Depressed Patients in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, Particularly in Asia 159
3.4 Research and Synergies across Countries and Cultures 162
3.5 A Wider Cultural Perspective 165
4 Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Review 167
Commentaries 202
4.1 Advances in Understanding Prevention and Treatment and the Needs in Developing Countries 202
4.2 The Risks of Bipolar Disorder 205
4.3 The Need for Specifically Targeted and Precise Treatments Aiming for Remission 208
4.4 Childhood Depression is Distinct from Depression in Adolescents and Adults 211
4.5 Depression in Infants, Children and Adolescents 214
5 Depressive Disorders in the Elderly: A Review 219
Commentaries 280
5.1 Focusing on Asia 280
5.2 Effective Treatments Despite Diagnostic Complexity and Diverse Populations 282
5.3 Depression and Anxiety in Dementia Caregivers 284
5.4 Recognition of Old Age Depression in Chinese 287
5.5 Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Elderly Complicated with Medical Co-morbidities and Multiple Medication Use 290
6 Depressive Disorders in Primary Care: A Review 293
Commentaries 341
6.1 A Paradox of Screening for Mental Disorders in Primary Care and the Importance of Severe Disorders in Developing Countries 341
6.2 Diagnosis, Intervention and the Emergence of the Patient’s Voice 344
6.3 Untreated Depression in Mexico – Can Primary Care Make a Difference? 347
6.4 Understanding the Practice of Primary Health Care 350
Index 353

Review for 1st Edition:

"I strongly recommend this masterfully edited book, which
remarkably succeeds in combining research evidence and clinical
experience. It is probably the most helpful update on depression
available today, both for the researcher in mood disorders and the
practising clinician." (Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, Vol
69/5, 2000)