Summary
Depression and bipolar disorder are part of a group of mental illnesses called mood disorders. People with these conditions may experience unusual and extremely low or elevated moods as well as unpredictable mood swings. These disorders can also affect one's physical well-being. For many years people who suffered from mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder were stigmatized for their problems. Most doctors and medical scientists now believe that these illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and can be treated with medication and talk therapy. Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Second Edition provides the basic facts needed to understand the different types of depression and related disorders and what defines them, including the typical symptoms, possible causes, and current treatments.
About the Author(s)
Vatsal G. Thakkar, M.D., is the founder, president, and chief medical officer at Reimbursify. He is also a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. Thakkar received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, and sleep disorders.
Christine Adamec has authored and coauthored many books for Facts On File, including The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse; The Encyclopedia of Drug Abuse; The Encyclopedia of Elder Care; The Encyclopedia of Phobias, Fears, and Anxieties; The Encyclopedia of Child Abuse, Third Edition; and numerous other titles on pivotal medical and psychological issues. In addition, Adamec authored Pathological Gambling for Chelsea House's Psychological Disorders series.