Depression and Bipolar Disorders

William Glassman is a professor of psychology at Ryerson Polytechnical
University in Toronto.

Depression is an all-too-common disorder, affecting roughly one in five
people at some time in their life. The author, a psychiatrist
specializing in depression, uses nontechnical language in describing
what depression is, what is known about its causes, and the various
treatments that are available. She also discusses how depression affects
particular groups (including children, women, and the elderly),
depression and suicide, and the stigma that is often attached to a
diagnosis of depression. Her text is supported with many realistic
vignettes.

While providing a clear and sympathetic overview, the book has two
slight imperfections. First, Edwards sometimes seems more comfortable
talking about drug therapy than “psychosocial therapies” (her term).
As a result, readers may come away feeling that drug therapy is
superior, and that talking to a family physician may be as useful as
talking to a specialist—both debatable points. Second, readers seeking
further information will find a limited bibliography, consisting mostly
of personal accounts (though the listing of Web resources will be
helpful for many). Nonetheless, this straightforward book offers
valuable advice for those seeking basic information on depression.