Depression: The Evolution Of Powerlessness (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Depression has been labelled the common cold of psychopathology..." (more)
Key Phrases: frustrative aggression, anathetic signals, explorative behaviour, Karen Horney, Alfred Adler, Albert Ellis (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Represents work(s) of outstanding British scholarship on depression." --Clinical Gerontologist

"Undaunted, Paul Gilbert begins Depression: The Evolution of Powerlessness by taking the field to task for narrowly focused theories...With some provocative phrasing, witty putdowns, and what suggests an incredible command of the literature, Gilbert lays down the groundwork for the development of what looks to be an ambitious integrative model of depression based on evolutionary theory...This is a creative account of depression, a solid contribution to the literature that brings back into focus issues of power and hierarchy that other theorists push into the background." --Contemporary Psychology

"A nice feature of his book is that it makes an effort to place issues in a broader social-ecological and evolutionary context. It also sparkles at times with insights and is periodically useful in putting the reader on the trail of interesting ideas...In closing, Gilbert's newest book is wide-ranging and rich with ideas and references...Still, the book does bring a wealth of ideas together not normally seen in one place. And it deserves attention for its interesting exploration of issues related to the evolutionary history of depression."

"Scholarly, eclectic, and provocative...." --Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

"Comprehensive in [its] theoretical perspectives and thorough in the review of the data...." --Clinical Gerontologist

"Gilbert has crafted a tightly organized book presenting the thesis that depression is an evolutionary response that has the adaptive function of maintaining and supporting hierarchical social systems." --Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research

"...stylistic and thematic unity make it easy and enjoyable to read." --Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research

"...the book works because of its scholarship and its comprehensiveness." --Psychotherapy Practice and Research

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Bringing the reader up to date on current research and theory, this volume presents an ambitious overview of the various psychological approaches to understanding and treating depression. Part I explores the major distinctions among all types of depression, including discussion of seasonal affective disorder, postnatal depression, and depression in children. A chapter on epidemiology covers issues of prevalence, relapse, long-term outcome, and chronic depression. In addition, the relationship between depression and the personality disorders is examined in detail.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 559 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press; 2 edition (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863772218
• ISBN-13: 978-0863772214
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,029,083 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Evolutionary Perspective on Depression, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Depression: The Evolution of Powerlessness (Hardcover)

I quoted this book in my research paper in Darwinian Medicine under Dr. Steven W. Rissing at Arizona State University and is without question the definitive evolutionary perspective on depression.