Depression

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.

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