Depression, Mental 

This comprehensive book examines in detail numerous facets of an increasingly common neurosis (and psychosis) - depression. Well-known contributors from the specialties of genetics, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, sociology, cultural anthropology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis view this phenomenon as an affect, a feeling, a mood reaction, an illness, and a psychosis. From these various perspectives, they describe, classify, study the origins, and follow the course of depression. Central to Drs. Anthony and Benedeks' presentation is that depression is a universal experience of existence at all ages and in all societies and classes of life, but the authors contend that shifts in the human condition are responsible for the different manifestation of depression. Illuminating discussions portray the attributes of this disorder in relation to each phase of the human life cycle. A novel treatment of childhood depression affords dual perspective on the internal and external milieu. Also included are explanations of how to recognize and treat depression. Throughout, varied and significant theories, from organic to psychoanalytic, are authoritatively incorporated. Contents include: