Depression (3^rd Ed.)
Clinical Psychology: A Modular Course Series

Depression provides a valuable and accessible resource for students, practitioners, and researchers seeking an up-to-date overview and summary of research-based information about depression. With the help of clinical examples, the authors present chapters covering the hypothesized causes of depression, including genetic and biological factors, life stress, family, and interpersonal contributors to depression.

The third edition extensively updates prior coverage to reflect advances in the field. The presumed causes of depression from both a biological perspective as well as from social and cognitive perspectives are explored in detail. Two chapters explore the most recent developments in pharmacological and biological interventions and in psychological treatments, as well as the prevention of depression. This new edition includes updated discussion about challenges in research, including heterogeneity and diagnosis of depression and proposed solutions, as well as the efficacy and availability of treatments.

Authored by experts in the field who are active researchers and clinicians, Depression provides a state-of-the-art primer for final year undergraduate and postgraduate students, clinicians, professionals, and researchers seeking a broad reference task that critically evaluates research into depression.

Table of Contents

Series preface

List of tables and figures

1. Defining and diagnosing depression

Phenomenology of depressive experiences

Diagnosis of depression

Challenges and alternatives to the diagnostic approach

Summary

References

2. Course and consequences of depression

Course of unipolar major depressive disorder

Nature and course of depression in children, adolescents, and older adults

Impaired functioning and consequences of depression

Summary

References

3. Who is affected by depression?

Prevalence of depression

Sociodemographic correlates of depression

Age and depression

Gender differences in depression

Summary

References

4. Biological aspects of depression

Conceptual issues in the biology of depressive disorders

Genetic research in depression

Brain and neuroendocrine functioning and depression

The role of female hormones in depression

Summary

References

5. Cognitive and life stress approaches to depression

Cognitive and information-processing models of depression

Evaluating cognitive vulnerability models

Stressful events and circumstances and their role in depression

Summary

References

6. Social aspects of depression

Depression in the family context

Social behaviours of depressed persons

Summary

References

7. Biological treatment of depression

Antidepressant medications

Nonpharmacological biological treatments

Summary

References

8. Psychological treatments

Psychotherapy approaches to depression

Evaluating the outcome of psychological treatments

Relapse prevention and residual depression

Challenges for psychological treatments

Improving the accessibility and availability of psychological treatments

Prevention of depression

Treating children and adolescents

Summary

References

Constance Hammen is a professor and clinical psychologist at UCLA, and a cognitive-behavioural therapist.

Edward Watkins is a chartered clinical psychologist at the Mood Disorders Centre, University of Exeter.