Understanding Depression

A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment

Revised and Expanded Edition

Donald F. Klein, M.D. and Paul H. Wender, M.D.

When Understanding Depression was first published over ten years ago, it quickly became a trusted guide for the millions of Americans suffering from depression. Now the long awaited revised and expanded second edition of this definitive and readable book is available to a new generation.
With the addition of the latest research on treatments for biological depression, the authors illustrate the importance of accurately diagnosing the disease and using tested research methods to treat it. The book provides the means of evaluating the benefits and disadvantages of both pharmaceutical and psychological treatment of depression. In explaining the different treatments available, the authors provide detailed information on the use of both old and new antidepressants and SSRIs, as well as herbal supplements like St. John's Wort. It also focuses on the environmental and hereditary causes of biological depression, about which there are still many misconceptions.
Using excerpts from patient histories to show progress from the onset of depression through treatment and recovery, the authors put a human face on the specter of depression. They demonstrate how many of the afflicted fail to seek help or are misdiagnosed by doctors who do not recognize their symptoms. The book includes several simple tests which readers can use to determine the need to seek a psychological evaluation. Understanding Depression is an excellent source of support, providing a highly informed and readable guide to this much misunderstood disease.

Understanding Depression

A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment

Revised and Expanded Edition

Donald F. Klein, M.D. and Paul H. Wender, M.D.

Description

When Understanding Depression was first published over ten years ago, it quickly became a trusted guide for the millions of Americans suffering from depression. Now the long-awaited revised and expanded second edition of this definitive and readable book is available to a new generation of those struggling with depression and their families. Informed by up-to-date research on new drugs and treatments for depression, the authors again carefully illustrate the importance of accurately diagnosing the disease and using scientific data and tested research methods in treating it. The book provides the means of evaluating the benefits and disadvantages of both pharmaceutical and psychological treatment of depression and explores the different treatments available. The completely revised medication chapter covers both the old and the new antidepressants and SSRIs, as well as popular herbal supplements like St. John's Wort. It also focuses on the environmental and hereditary causes of biological depression, about which there are still many misconceptions, even among professionals. The authors include several self-rating tests which readers can use to determine the need to seek a psychological evaluation. Using excerpts from patient histories to show their progress from the onset of depression to treatment to recovery, the authors put a human face on the specter of depression. Most of its victims fail to seek help, whether out of guilt or ignorance, and many are misdiagnosed by physicians or psychotherapists who fail to recognize the symptoms of the illness. Understanding Depression is an excellent source of support, providing a highly informed and readable guide to this much misunderstood disease.

Understanding Depression

A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment

Revised and Expanded Edition

Donald F. Klein, M.D. and Paul H. Wender, M.D.

Author Information

Donald F. Klein is Professor of Psychiatry at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of Research at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Paul H. Wender is Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Psychiatric Research at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is the author of The Hyperactive Child, Adolescent and Adult, and co-author of Mind, Mood, and Medicine with Donald F. Klein.

Understanding Depression

A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment

Revised and Expanded Edition

Donald F. Klein, M.D. and Paul H. Wender, M.D.

Reviews and Awards

"Offers hope for relief from a terrifying affliction. And practical, step-by-step advice for finding that relief."--The New York Times "The book is helpful in directing individuals to treatment, and nothing short of praise is deserved for advancing that goal. Conveying the remarkable contributions of medication to advances in care is critically important."-- American Journal of Psychiatry (on the previous edition*)