Understanding and Treating Depressive Disorders

Introduction

This book synthesizes complex information crucial for the understanding and treatment of depressive disorders. Depression is the most common mental illness worldwide. In 2017, WHO reported that depression was the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide with more than 300 million people living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Time is of the essence for busy practitioners. Applying discoveries in epigenetics and psychobiology to clinical practice with precision and avoiding misinformation is a worthy but often daunting goal. It is this book’s mission to provide a concise and practical guide.

Etiology of Depression

This volume begins with a discussion of the etiology of depression. Etiological considerations underpinning possible relationships between psychosocial variables and health include, but are not limited to, communication in the brain, molecular aspects, stress responses, heritability, and disease associated immune responses.

Behavioral Change Factors

Next, factors related to the ability to change behavior are considered. These include topics such as epigenetics, neuroplasticity, conditioning, therapygenetics, critical periods, and motivation.

Evidence for Treatment Approaches

Then, evidence for efficacy of treatment approaches is presented. These include such interventions as pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, complementary interventions, and self-medication.

Target Audience

Understanding and Treating Depressive Disorders is a concise and practical guide that will be of great value to students, psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral medicine specialists, residents and fellows in those fields, and any clinician that works with patients suffering from depression.