Summary
Mental health professionals estimate that approximately 1 in 10 Americans suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Depression is a disease that disrupts one's mood and sense of well-being. It can interfere with one's enjoyment of life, interactions with friends and family members, and ability to work. Severe depression can leave one despondent to the point of paralysis and hopelessness or even contribute to suicide. The disease takes an economic toll, as well, in costs for treatment and lost wages and productivity. Fortunately, most cases of depression can be successfully treated with medication and therapy.
The Encyclopedia of Depression is a concise, A-to-Z guide to covering everything readers need to understand the nature of this disease, recognize its signs and symptoms, and seek out treatment for themselves or a loved one. More than 80 in-depth articles examine all aspects of depression, including its causes, current research into the disease, treatment options, and related social issues.
Topics covered include:
- Antidepressants
- Bipolar disorder
- Children and depression
- Demographics of depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Holiday depression
- Myths and inaccuracies about depression
- Refractory depression
- Risk factors for depression
- Substance abuse.
About the Author(s)
Mark S. Gold, M.D., was the chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine in the psychiatry department at the University of Florida in Gainesville and a professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine in the departments of psychiatry, neuroscience, community health, and family medicine until his retirement. He is the editor, the coeditor, or on the editorial board of numerous publications, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Psychopharmacology, Archives of General Psychiatry, The American Journal of Psychiatry, The Lancet, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Journal of Addictive Disease, Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and Postgraduate Medicine.
Christine Adamec has written more than 25 books on medical and self-help topics. She has worked with physicians to produce medical self-help books on topics such as fibromyalgia and prostate cancer. Her books for Facts On File include The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse; The Encyclopedia of Diabetes, Second Edition; The Encyclopedia of the Digestive System and Digestive Disorders, Second Edition; and The Encyclopedia of Drug Abuse. Adamec is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She lives in Florida.