Experiences of depression: Theoretical, clinical, and research perspectives.

In Experiences Of Depression, Sidney J. Blatt Integrates Nearly 30 Years Of Clinical Insight And Research On The Nature Of Depression And The Life Experiences That Contribute To It. Beginning With Case Studies Of Two Patients In Long-term Treatment, This Landmark Book Paints A Compelling Picture, Demonstrating The Value Of Considering The Psychological Dimensions Of Depression. In A Profound Contribution To Understanding The Nature Of Depression, Blatt Identifies Two Types Of Depression That, Despite A Common Set Of Symptoms, Have Distinct Roots. One, Which He Terms Anaclitic Depression, Arises From Feelings Of Loneliness And Abandonment. The Other, Which He Terms Introjective Depression, Is Born Of Feelings Of Failure And Worthlessness. Recognizing These Fundamentally Different Depressive Experiences Has Spurred A Remarkably Wide Range Of Research, The Development Of Assessment Tools, And Impressive Advances In Understanding The Nature, Etiology, And Treatment Of This Far-reaching Disorder.--jacket. I. Theoretical Formulations And Clinical Examples Of Anaclitic And Introjective Depression. Two Types Of Depression -- Clinical Expression Of Anaclitic And Introjective Depression -- Ii. Assessment Of Anaclitic And Introjective Depression And Of Mental Representation. The Measurement Of Anaclitic And Introjective Depressive Experiences -- The Assessment Of Mental Representation -- Iii. Expressions Of Anaclitic And Introjective Depression And Their Distal And Proximal Antecedents. Anaclitic And Introjective Depression In Clinical And Non-clinical Settings -- Developmental Origins (distal Antecedents) -- Precipitating Events (proximal Antecedents). Therapeutic Implications. Sidney J. Blatt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 299-344) And Index. In this book, the author integrates nearly 30 years of clinical insight and research on the nature of depression and the life experiences that contribute to it. Beginning with case studies of two patients in long-term treatment, this book demonstrates the value of considering the psychological dimensions of depression. The author identifies two subtypes of depression that, despite a common set of symptoms, have distinct roots. One, which he terms anaclitic depression, arises from feelings of loneliness and abandonment. The other, which he terms introjective depression, is born of feelings of failure and worthlessness. Recognizing these fundamentally different depressive experiences has spurred a wide range of research, the development of assessment tools, and advances in understanding the nature, etiology, and treatment of this disorder. The author reviews the extensive investigations of these two types of depression and examines the role of disturbances in mental representations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved)