Dealing with Depression by Gordon Parker
June 30th, 2007“… an excellent overview of the depressive illnesses, written by one of the leading authorities on the subject.”
Kay Redfield Jamison, Author of “An Unquiet Mind”
Professor of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
This excellent book is written from the premise that there are many different forms of depression, rather than the popularly held belief that there is one main type that differs in severity. In a nutshell Gordon Parker explains the different types of depression, and how they should be dealt with differently. He offers suggestions for the most appropriate treatments in each case.
It can’t be overstated how important this approach is. If a correct diagnosis is not made in the first place then treatment may fail. I’ve been there and experienced plenty of what was wrongly called “treatment resistance”. With a correct diagnosis depression will normally be treated successfully.
Something that I find especially helpful is the inclusion of some fictional case histories, so that the reader can understand how each depression type might present itself in terms of its symptoms. When I first read the case histories I tried to guess the specific type of depression that each person was suffering from. I was wrong on all accounts!
While he is first and foremost a psychiatrist, Gordon Parker includes psychotherapies and alternative therapies together with traditional medicine in his discussion of treatment options. This is helpful if you want to actively explore the treatment options.
We have a copy of the first edition and have lent it out countless times to friends and relatives. In fact as I write this review I have no idea where it has gone, it has been handed around so much. The carer of a mentally ill person can gain a lot of help from the book as well. It is easy to read and provides hope that things can get better with appropriate treatment. When the patient, their family and/or friends are educated and moving forward with the treatment being undertaken, there is a much greater chance of success.
“Gordon Parker has style. The second edition of “Dealing with Depression” provides an outstandingly accessible account of how he sees the theory and practice of treating depression. While it is clearly written originally for the non-professional, the story is told from the cutting edge of research and treatment. It exemplifies the modern unifying approach to psychiatry - a synthesis of reliable knowledge and clinical judgment. It is a book both to read and to recommend to one’s patients and their families.”
Guy Goodwin, Professor of Psychiatry, Oxford University.
“This unique book, written by one of the world’s leading authorities on depression, focuses on a way of thinking about the complexity and diversity of the mood disorders that is both easy to understand and ‘rings’ true. Well-written and thought provoking, it is essential reading for all whose lives are affected by depression.”
Michael Thase, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh
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