Unhappiness, sadness and 'depression' : antidepressants and the mental disorder epidemic

This book examines existing treatments, legislation and research methodology of depression and exposes their limitations, championing psycho-social support as an alternative. Depression, affecting 350 million people according to the World Health Organisation, is almost invariably diagnosed by the criteria of the American Psychiatric Association – a definition which encompasses those with normal emotional responses to stressful life events. Tullio Giraldi discusses recent developments in popular and academic dialogue related to the use of antidepressants and recent increases in depression diagnosis and laments the rise in prescribing antidepressants despite their links to suicide and unfulfilled promises of efficacy and safety. He argues that psychotherapy is a cost effective treatment devoid of drugs' adverse effects. This work presents psycho-social support as an alternative to antidepressants, particularly for less severe cases, and as a more effective strategy for coping with the emotional challenges of today’s global reality. Patients, students of medicine and psychology, and professionals of mental health will find this work valuable. . Read more... Abstract: This book examines existing treatments, legislation and research methodology of depression and exposes their limitations, championing psycho-social support as an alternative. Depression, affecting 350 million people according to the World Health Organisation, is almost invariably diagnosed by the criteria of the American Psychiatric Association – a definition which encompasses those with normal emotional responses to stressful life events. Tullio Giraldi discusses recent developments in popular and academic dialogue related to the use of antidepressants and recent increases in depression diagnosis and laments the rise in prescribing antidepressants despite their links to suicide and unfulfilled promises of efficacy and safety. He argues that psychotherapy is a cost effective treatment devoid of drugs' adverse effects. This work presents psycho-social support as an alternative to antidepressants, particularly for less severe cases, and as a more effective strategy for coping with the emotional challenges of today’s global reality. Patients, students of medicine and psychology, and professionals of mental health will find this work valuable Front Matter ....Pages i-xiv Introduction (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 1-4 Melancholy and Depression (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 5-14 The Diagnosis (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 15-29 The Mental Disorder Epidemic (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 31-47 Early Treatments (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 49-61 The Rise of Effective Treatments (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 63-77 Assessing Efficacy (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 79-93 The Effectiveness of Antidepressants Today (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 95-116 A Matter of Chemistry (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 117-140 Written in the Genes (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 141-151 The Safety of Antidepressants (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 153-163 Conclusion (Tullio Giraldi)....Pages 165-186 Back Matter ....Pages 187-202 Foreword 6 Acknowledgements 9 Contents 11 1 Introduction 13 References 16 2 Melancholy and Depression 17 References 24 3 The Diagnosis 27 References 40 4 The Mental Disorder Epidemic 42 References 56 5 Early Treatments 59 References 69 6 The Rise of Effective Treatments 72 References 84 7 Assessing Efficacy 87 References 98 8 The Effectiveness of Antidepressants Today 102 References 120 9 A Matter of Chemistry 124 References 143 10 Written in the Genes 148 References 155 11 The Safety of Antidepressants 159 References 167 12 Conclusion 170 References 186 Appendix 192 Bibliography 194 Index 197