Understanding Depression written by Dr. J. Raymond DePaulo and Leslie Alan Horvitz is a direct and compelling book on depression for both sufferers and their family members. As Kay R. Jamison described it, the book is an excellent bridge between medical science and the depression sufferer. This book covers topics, such as depression and mania symptoms, effective pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments, medication side effects and ways to manage them. With Understanding Depression, Dr. DePaulo and Leslie Horvitz aimed at providing basic information about depression and its treatment options for people diagnosed with this disease and their families, but also at educating everybody who have an interest in mental health.
The Contents of the Book
Understanding depression by Dr. J. Raymond DePaulo and Leslie Alan Horvitz is organized in four parts, supported by appendices including information about insurance, helpful organizations and books, and a glossary of terms related to depression and mania.
Part I – Understanding Depression
Five chapters in the first part describes experiences with depression and mania (bipolar disorder), explains who can be affected by these illnesses and addresses different types of the diseases. The last chapter in this part talks about stressful events which may cause depression.
This information is presented in a way that depression sufferers may be able to recognize depression symptoms in themselves and then seek appropriate help. Family members who read this book may recognize the signs of depression in a loved one, which is very important since depression victims often fail to recognize that they are indeed suffering from depression.
Part II – Unraveling the Secrets
Three chapters in the second part explains what we know about our brain and its function, the connection between genes and depression (depression inheritance), and the association of hormones, headaches and heart attacks to depressive states. There are a lot of interesting facts you can learn about in this section, for example, it seems that a certain type of pain medication is also good for depression.
Part III – Depression and Mania and Destructive Effects on the Whole Person
Three chapters in the third part of this book give a better insight into relationships in the lives of depressed people or manic depression sufferers. It addresses destructive behavior and suicidal inclinations.
Part IV – Treatments for Depression
Nine chapters in the fourth part of the book is based on getting help for depression; making the diagnosis would be the first step in treating depression. There is no set treatment that will work for all depressed people. Medical treatment is explained in detail including different types of drugs, psychotherapy (also known as 'talk therapy', ECT, light and other medical treatments. The authors also described alternative treatments of depression. This chapter is extremely important for those people who plan to treat depression with herbal remedies. If a depression sufferer is to be hospitalized, readers will find also a guide for patients and families in this part of the book revealing how to manage the situation, get back to normal and continue life by going forward.
About the authors
Dr. Raymond DePaulo
Dr. Raymond DePaulo has been a clinician, teacher, and faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry for the past 34 years. He is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on depression. The primary area of his research is based around mood disorders, especially the genetic bases of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression and panic disorder. DePaulo is the author of more than 100 scientific publications. He has recieved awards from the NIMH, the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association, and the SELO Prize for outstanding research in depression from NARSAD.
Dr. Raymond DePaulo has been named Hopkins' chairman of psychiatry at the same time of the publication of his second book on depression, Understanding Depression: What We Know and What You Can Do About It.
Leslie Alan Horvitz
Leslie Alan Horvitz is a freelance writer who published numerous works, specializing in science. He is also the editor of The Quotable Scientist. The author resides in New York City. His work includes novels, non-fiction books, short stories and stories appearing in anthologies, such as Fears (1983), Shadows 6 (1983), After Mindnight (1986).
List of Works by Leslie A. Horvitz:
- Novels: Compton Effect (1981), The Donors (1982), Double Blinded (1984), The Dying (1987), Blood Moon (1987), Causes Unknown (1990).
- Non-fiction books: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Evolution (2001), Eureka!: Scientific Breakthroughs that Changed the World (2002), Understanding Depression (with J. R. DePaulo, 2003), Meg Whitman: President and CEO of Ebay (2005), Night Sky Tracker (2006), Encyclopedia of War Crimes and Genocide (with Christopher Catherwood, 2006).
- Short Stories: The Appearance of Georgio (1983), The Ragman (1983), Marriage Vows (1983).
Book Cover Photo Source: Amazon.com
You'll find quotes about depression by Dr. J. R. dePaulo and Leslie A. Horvitz in the Depression Quotes Collection.
Book Rating
The book Understanding Depression by J. Raymond DePaulo and Leslie Alan Horvitz is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by Amazon reviewers. You can look inside the book and read the reviews by visiting Amazon from this page.
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