It has long been accepted that depressive disorders comprise a biologically-based type, the so-called "endogenous" or "melancholic" depression, and a residual set of depressive conditions resulting from social factors. The difficulty has been in distinguishing the melancholic type of depression on the basis of clinical features. This book describes the development of a behavioral sign-based approach, the CORE system, and demonstrates its superiority to previous symptom-based diagnostic systems for depression. The authors suggest that the psychomotor signs elicited may indicate the likely...

The DSM and ICD mental illness classificatory systems define mood disorder as essentially a single condition varying only by severity. Gordon Parker and Vijaya Manicavasagar expose the weaknesses in the existing models, and describe a new approach to sub-typing and managing depression based on there being some specific defined manifestations, including melancholia and psychotic depression, as well as versions of the condition highly dependent on life stresses and personality styles. They argue that depression can exist as a disease, a disorder, a syndrome and a normal reaction, and it...

If you have depression, do you persevere or do you risk telling your manager? If you are a manager, what can you do to support the employee and ensure the job is done?

Figures suggest that more than ten percent of people in the workforce struggle with depression. Both employees and their managers are looking for the same outcome: recovery and return to best functioning. Tackling Depression at Work explains the key issues that arise and offers proven strategies that employees and managers can use. Topics of discussion include:

• the importance of education about...

Even when he's grey around the muzzle, the black dog of depression can still deliver a ferocious bite. Depression can strike at any age, and it may appear for the first time as we get older, as a result of life circumstances or our genetic makeup. While older people face the same kinds of mental health issues as younger people, they can find it more difficult to deal with them owing to the stressors which accumulate with age. There is also a high incidence of undiagnosed depression in older age, presenting extra challenges for carers. Managing Depression Growing Older offers a systematic...

First symptoms of depression often occur during teenage years, and it can be a disturbing and confusing time for families as well as the teenager themselves. How can you tell whether it is just typical teenage ups and downs that will pass, or something more serious? How can we reliably identify and support teenagers with depression?

In this book experienced clinician and researcher Gordon Parker explains how to systematically identify different mood disorders and contributing factors. He and co-author Kerrie Eyers explain when clinical treatment is required and outline treatment...