Living Longer Depression Free

Mark D. Miller, M.D., is an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and medical director of the Late-Life Depression Prevention Clinic at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Charles F. Reynolds III, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry, neurology, and neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he is also director of the NIMH-funded Intervention Research Center for Late-Life Mood Disorders.

Contents: Foreword, by Barry D. Lebowitz, Ph.D. Preface I. UNDERSTANDING LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION 1. Recognizing Depression What is Depression? The Mind-Body Connection Pain or Physical Disability Psychotic Symptoms Suicide Depression and the Quality of Life 2. The Many Forms of Depression Dysthymia Bipolar Disorder Recurrent Depression Postpartum Depression Prementrual and Postmenopausal Depression 3. Medical Reasons for Depression in Later Life Inherited Risk Factors Biomedical Risk Factors Medications That Can Cause or Contribute to Depression Recreational Drugs and Alcohol as Depressants 4. Psychological and Social Reasons for Depression in Later Life Psychological Risk Factors Anxiety with Depression Social Risks: The Loneliness Factor The Role of Personality or Coping Style The Stress Response What Can Be Done about Stress? The Aftermath of September 11, 2001 II. EVALUATING AND TREATING DEPRESSION 5. Getting Help for Depression: Where to Go, What to Expect Which Health Professional Should You Choose? A Thorough Assessment for Late-Life Depression Barriers to Treatment Finding Help in Your Area The Benefits of Treatment and the Consequences of Untreated Depression Advice for Family Members 6. Talking Therapy for Late-Life Depression What is Psychotherapy? Types of Psychotherapy How Psychotherapy Helps Good Grieving 7. What Modern Medicine Can Offer or Late-Life Depression Antidepressant Medication Types of Anitdepressant Medications: A Brief Overview Strategies for Making Antidepressants Work Managing Side Effects of Antidepressant Medication Combined Treatment: Medication and Psychotherapy Electriconvulsive Theray, or Shock Treatment How do Medical Treatments Work? The Maintenance Therapies in Late-Life Dperession Study A Word about Insomnia 8. Complementary or Alternative Treatments Used for Mental Health A Historical Perspective Our Own Perpsective The Alternative Health Care Movement Standards of Safety and Efficacy Alternative Treatments Buyer, BewareIII. STAYING FREE OF DEPRESSION FOR THE LONG TERM 9. Strategies for Living Depression Free for the Long Term Finding the Help You Need Friends and Family Members-An Early-Warning System The Importance of Daily Routine Successful Aging Later Life as a Developmental Stage Planning for the Final Phase of Life Making Plans for Needing Help-A way to Stay in Control End-of-Life Issues 10. Future Research New and Promising Developments Special Considerations of Research Participating in Research: What is Involved