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

One in ten Americans suffer from depression, so today it's widely acknowledged and discussed: this updated coverage of an acclaimed survey includes over ten years of new research, from advances in medical treatments to changes in public perception and understanding of depression, and is key to any in-depth health collection seeking to provide the latest details. From its survey of the latest antidepressants to new approaches in psychology, Depression: The Mood Disease is a recommended pick for both public and college-level libraries. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

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.

Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 PART I: SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT......Page 14 Mood: What Is It?......Page 16 The Chemistry of Mood......Page 19 An Early Breakthrough in Brain Science......Page 20 Mood Disorders......Page 21 What Is the Biology of Depression?......Page 22 2. Depression......Page 29 The Symptoms of Major Depression......Page 36 “Normal” Depression?......Page 39 The Classification of Depression......Page 42 Medications......Page 51 Electroconvulsive Therapy......Page 71 Other Brain Stimulation Techniques......Page 75 Complicated Depression......Page 77 Tests for Mood Disorders......Page 85 What Is Bipolar Disorder?......Page 88 The Hypomanic Syndrome......Page 93 Another Duality......Page 94 “Mood Swings” and Cyclothymia......Page 95 Is There a Spectrum of Mood Disorders?......Page 97 The Chemistry of Bipolar Disorder......Page 98 The Treatment of Bipolar Disorder......Page 99 Length of Treatment in Bipolar Disorders......Page 112 Treating “Soft” Bipolar Disorders......Page 114 PART II: VARIATIONS, CAUSES, AND CONNECTIONS......Page 116 Major Depression in the Elderly......Page 118 Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents......Page 123 Mood Disorders in Women......Page 127 Depression and Stroke......Page 132 Depression and Pain......Page 136 Seasonal Affective Disorder......Page 140 Schizoaffective Disorder......Page 144 Panic Attacks and Mood Disorders......Page 145 The Heredity of Mood Disorders......Page 152 Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Mood Disorders......Page 154 Medical Causes of Mood Disorders......Page 159 Sleep and Depression......Page 165 PART III: GETTING BETTER......Page 170 7. Advice for Patients with Mood Disorders and Their Families......Page 172 Who Can Help? The Mental Health Professionals......Page 173 Living with a Mood Disorder......Page 178 Community Support and National Organizations......Page 198 How to Help with Depression......Page 199 8. Summing Up and Looking Ahead......Page 204 Further Reading......Page 208 Support and Advocacy Organizations......Page 210 B......Page 214 E......Page 215 M......Page 216 R......Page 217 Z......Page 218 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. A comprehensive guide to the mental condition by the author of the bestselling book Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families . 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 Mondimorehere 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. "A readable, informative, comforting overview of an illness most people consider scary." — Library Journal "A clearly written, comprehensive, and compassionate guide." — Science Books and Films "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

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.