Depression, the Mood Disease (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

Depression is a mood disorder that affects one in ten Americans in any given year. At one time too stigmatized to be mentioned in polite conversation, depression is now discussed frankly in the media, and advertisements for drug therapy appear everywhere. The third edition of this widely acclaimed book reflects changes in how mood disorders are thought about, and how they are treated. Dr. Francis Mark Mondimore, author of the best-selling book Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families, here explains depression—its causes and symptoms, and its treatment. He discusses depression in all age groups and in both sexes, as well as bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorders, and depression that accompanies illness. This edition encompasses more than a decade of new research, advances in pharmacology, and changes in public perception. The past ten years have seen the release of new forms of the major antidepressants as well as other promising new avenues in pharmaceutical treatments. For example'atypical'or'second generation'antidepressants, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, provide different ways of manipulating the chemical systems in the brain concerned with mood. And there have been significant advances in the use of MAO inhibitors, now available in patch form. Dr. Mondimore reviews these and other pharmacological therapies as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment that includes psychotherapy, family and community support, and lifestyle changes. Full of information compassionately presented, this guide provides hope and help to patients and their families.

If it seems a gloomy thought to explore the workings of mental doldrums, psychiatrist Mondimore makes this a safe trip, explaining in simple language how depression and manic-depression take effect and what victims can do about it. -- Publishers Weekly

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Raj Tummala, MD(Wyeth Pharmaceuticals)
Description:This is an easy to read consumer's guide to help patients and their families understand depression and other mood disorders.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide a comprehensive and easy to read review of depression and other mood disorders so that the patient can better understand the illness as well as the available treatment options.
Audience:This book is targeted towards patients, their families, and loved ones who want a better understanding of mood disorders. Others may also benefit from this book, including students, residents and nurses.
Features:Since the last edition of this book, there have been tremendous advances in our understanding of the biology of mood disorders as well newer treatment options. This new edition captures these advances, allowing patients and their loved ones to easily understand them. As the author states, this is not a self-help book, but an informative review that presents scientific and clinical facts in lay language. Starting with a basic chapter on mood that explains the biology, the author covers depression with the available treatment options. Information is augmented with case vignettes that explain symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Some of the newer treatment options such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation are also covered along with to the standard therapies. Bipolar disorder is also covered in a similar format with case vignettes to help differentiate from pure depressive disorders. Information is augmented with tables. Differences in depressive disorders in the elderly, children, women, and stroke and pain patients are highlighted. Of particular interest to the patient is the chapter on causal factors. Advice is given to the patients and their families about the outcomes of depressive disorders and the need for appropriate treatment.
Assessment:This is a reader friendly book on depression and mood disorders written primarily for patients and their families. It explains scientific and clinical facts at a patient level helping the patient get a better bearing on the nature of depression.

Dr. Francis Mark Mondimore, Author Of The Best-selling Book Bipolar Disorder: A Guide For Patients And Families, Here Explains Depression - Its Causes And Symptoms, And Its Treatment. He Discusses Depression In All Age Groups And In Both Sexes, As Well As Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorders, And Depression That Accompanies Illness. This Edition Encompasses More Than A Decade Of New Research, Advances In Pharmacology, And Changes In Public Perception. Pt. I. Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment -- 1. Mood -- Mood : What Is It? -- The Chemistry Of Mood -- An Early Breakthrough In Brain Science -- Mood Disorders -- What Is The Biology Of Depression? -- 2. Depression -- The Symptoms Of Major Depression -- Normal Depression? -- The Classification Of Depression -- 3. Treatment -- Medications -- Electroconvulsive Therapy -- Other Brain Stimulation Techniques -- Complicated Depression -- Tests For Mood Disorders -- 4. Bipolar Disorder -- What Is Bipolar Disorder? -- The Hypomanic Syndrome -- Another Duality -- Mood Swings And Cyclothymia -- Is There A Spectrum Of Mood Disorders? -- The Chemistry Of Bipolar Disorder -- The Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder -- Length Of Treatment In Bipolar Disorders -- Treating Soft Bipolar Disorders -- Pt. Ii. Variations, Causes, And Connections -- 5. Variations Of The Mood Disorders -- Major Depression In The Elderly -- Mood Disorders In Children And Adolescents -- Mood Disorders In Women -- Depression And Stroke -- Depression And Pain -- Seasonal Affective Disorder -- Schizoaffective Disorder -- Panic Attacks And Mood Disorders -- 6. Causal Factors And Associations -- The Heredity Of Mood Disorders -- Alcohol And Drug Abuse And Mood Disorders -- Medical Causes Of Mood Disorders -- Sleep And Depression -- Pt. Iii. Getting Better -- 7. Advice For Patients With Mood Disorders And Their Families -- Who Can Help? : The Mental Health Professionals -- Living With A Mood Disorder -- Community Support And National Organizations -- The Family -- How To Help With Depression -- 8. Summing Up And Looking Ahead. Francis Mark Mondimore. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 195-196) And Index. Content: PrefaceIntroductionPart I: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment1. MoodMood: What Is It?The Chemistry of MoodAn Early Breakthrough in Brain ScienceMood DisordersWhat Is the Biology of Depression?2. DepressionThe Symptoms of Major Depression"Normal" Depression?The Classification of Depression3. TreatmentMedicationsElectroconvulsive TherapyOther Brain Stimulation TechniquesComplicated DepressionTests for Mood Disorders4. Bipolar DisorderWhat Is Bipolar Disorder?The Hypomanic SyndromeAnother Duality"Mood Swings" and CyclothymiaIs There a Spectrum of Mood Disorders?The Chemistry of Bipolar DisorderThe Treatment of Bipolar DisorderLength of Treatment in Bipolar DisordersTreating "Soft" Bipolar DisordersPart II: Variations, Causes, and Connections5. Variations of the Mood DisordersMajor Depression in the ElderlyMood Disorders in Children and AdolescentsMood Disorders in WomenDepression and StrokeDepression and PainSeasonal Affective DisorderSchizoaffective DisorderPanic Attacks and Mood Disorders6. Causal Factors and AssociationsThe Heredity of Mood DisordersAlcohol and Drug Abuse and Mood DisordersMedical Causes of Mood DisordersSleep and DepressionPart III: Getting Better7. Advice for Patients with Mood Disorders and Their FamiliesWho Can Help? The Mental Health ProfessionalsLiving with a Mood DisorderCommunity Support and National OrganizationsThe FamilyHow to Help with Depression8. Summing Up and Looking AheadFurther ReadingSupport and Advocacy OrganizationsIndex