The Depths : The Evolutionary Origins of the Depression Epidemic

Nearly every depressed person is assured by doctors, well-meaning friends and family, the media, and ubiquitous advertisements that the underlying problem is a chemical imbalance. Such a simple defect should be fixable, yet despite all of the resources that have been devoted to finding a pharmacological solution, depression remains stubbornly widespread. Why are we losing this fight? In this humane and illuminating challenge to defect models of depression, psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg argues that depression is a particularly severe outgrowth of our natural capacity for emotion. In other words, it is a low mood gone haywire. Drawing on recent developments in the science of mood—and his own harrowing depressive experience as a young adult—Rottenberg explains depression in evolutionary terms, showing how its dark pull arises from adaptations that evolved to help our ancestors ensure their survival. Moods, high and low, evolved to compel us to more efficiently pursue rewards. While this worked for our ancestors, our modern environment—in which daily survival is no longer a sole focus—makes it all too easy for low mood to slide into severe, long-lasting depression. Weaving together experimental and epidemiological research, clinical observations, and the voices of individuals who have struggled with depression, The Depths offers a bold new account of why depression endures—and makes a strong case for de-stigmatizing this increasingly common condition. In so doing, Rottenberg offers hope in the form of his own and other patients’ recovery, and points the way towards new paths for treatment. A Sweeping New Theory About Depression Argues That Effective Treatments Have Been Limited By A Misperception That The Disorder Occurs Because Of Psychological Or Chemical Defects, Posing The Theory That Depression Is Actually Caused By Severe, Evolutionary-based Expressions Of Natural Emotions That Can Be Better Addressed Through Alternate Treatments. Why Are We Losing The Fight Against Depression? In This Groundbreaking Work, Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg Explains That Despite Advances In Pharmaceutical Science, Progress Has Been Hampered By Our Fundamental Misunderstanding Of Depression As A Psychological Or Chemical Defect. Instead, Rottenberg Introduces A Surprising Alternative: That Depression Is A Particularly Severe Outgrowth Of Our Natural Capacity For Emotion; It Is A Low Mood Gone Haywire. Drawing On Recent Developments In The Science Of Mood-and His Own Harrowing Depressive Experience As A Young Adult-rottenberg Explains Depression In Evolutionary Terms, Showing How Its Dark Pull Arises From Adaptations That Evolved To Help Our Ancestors Ensure Their Survival. Weaving Together Experimental And Epidemiological Research, Clinical Observations, And The Voices Of People Who Have Struggled With Depression, The Depths Offers A Bold New Account Of Why Depression Endures-and Points The Way Toward New Paths For Treatment-- Why We Need A New Approach To Depression -- Where The Depths Begin -- What Other Species Tell Us About Depression -- The Bell Tolls: Death As A Universal Trigger -- The Seedbed Of Low Mood -- The Slide -- The Black Hole: The Psychobiology Of Deep Depression -- An Up And Down Thing: Improvement In Depression -- In Limbo -- The Glory Of Recovery. Jonathan Rottenberg. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Nearly every depressed person is assured by doctors, well-meaning friends and family, the media, and ubiquitous advertisements that the underlying problem is a chemical imbalance. Such a simple defect should be fixable, yet despite all of the resources that have been devoted to finding a pharmacological solution, depression remains stubbornly widespread. Why are we losing this fight?In this humane and illuminating challenge to defect models of depression, psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg argues that depression is a particularly severe outgrowth of our natural capacity for emotion. In other words, it is a low mood gone haywire. Drawing on recent developments in the science of mood—and his own harrowing depressive experience as a young adult—Rottenberg explains depression in evolutionary terms, showing how its dark pull arises from adaptations that evolved to help our ancestors ensure their survival. Moods, high and low, evolved to compel us to more efficiently pursue rewards. While this worked for our ancestors, our modern environment—in which daily survival is no longer a sole focus—makes it all too easy for low mood to slide into severe, long-lasting depression.Weaving together experimental and epidemiological research, clinical observations, and the voices of individuals who have struggled with depression, __The Depths__ offers a bold new account of why depression endures—and makes a strong case for de-stigmatizing this increasingly common condition. In so doing, Rottenberg offers hope in the form of his own and other patients’ recovery, and points the way towards new paths for treatment. "Drawing on recent developments in the science of mood -- and his own harrowing depressive experience as a young adult -- Rottenberg explains depression in evolutionary terms, showing how its dark pull arises from adaptations that evolved to help our ancestors ensure their survival. Weaving together experimental and epidemiological research, clinical observations, and the voices of people who have struggled with depression, The Depths offers a bold new account of why depression endures -- and points the way toward new paths for treatment"-- Provided by publisher