The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing [Paperback]

Charles Whitfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2003

Almost 40 percent of the U.S. population suffers from some form of depression or mental illness yet the causes of mental illness remain largely a mystery. The prevailing theory sees the cause as a trans-generational genetic defect of brain chemistry, which is best treated with medication.

New breakthroughs made by health professionals dislodge this theory, and show that frequently previous traumas are what lead to mental illness.

In this bold new book, renowned physician and psychotherapist Charles Whitfield takes a new look at the common problems of depression, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, schizophrenia and other mental illness. The Truth About Depression shows the strong and at times causal relationship between childhood trauma and future depression and other mental illness; he explores the risks, side-effects and high cost of treating these disorders with anti-depressant drugs, and; provides an alternative treatment and recovery program for people with depression and a history of childhood trauma.

Dr. Whitfield's book offers hope and help for those who have been held hostage by depression, and provides clinicians with new solutions and alternatives to high-risk medications.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"A bold and unfettered view of depression today. Whitfield's clear observations and courageous approach make an exciting read. A must for understanding depression in our current clinical, cultural and political climate."
—J. Douglas Bremner, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine author, Does Stress Damage the Brain?

"It gives me great pleasure to endorse Charles Whitfield’s important and useful book, The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing. Among his many important insights, Dr. Whitfield makes the important connection between childhood trauma and depression. Written for both a lay and clinical professional audience, this book will be of great value to readers because it clearly lays out the parameters of the various types of depression—as well as its treatment. It also documents the relationship between child abuse of all kinds and the later possibility of lifetime depression and other serious psychological illness. Although psychology and psychiatry have been addressing the reality of trauma in childhood as a major cause of mental illness, before Whitfield’s book this strong evidence was spread throughout the clinical and scientific literature. It has not been condensed in one volume until now. The Truth About Depression is an essential, clearly written explanation of one of the most common illnesses that strikes humankind."
—Paul Jay Fink, M.D., past president, American Psychiatric Association professor of psychiatry, Temple University School of Medicine

"Important and useful. From his extensive experience with adult survivors of childhood trauma, Charles Whitfield, M.D., challenges conventional views about the cause and treatment of depression. Clear and well-documented, this book shows us that depression is usually best understood not as a mental illness, but rather as a normal response to abnormal life experiences (traumas), most of which go unrecognized because of their concealment by shame, social nicety and taboo. Integrating current developments in neurobiology, Dr. Whitfield helps us appreciate the important distinction between experiential cause and neurochemical mechanism in depression. Physicians, other clinicians, patients and families will find this a helpful book about the cause and treatment of depression. Highly recommended."
—Vincent J. Felitti, M.D., California Institutes of Preventive Medicine

About the Author

Charles L. Whitfield, M.D., is a physician and psychotherapist in private practice in Atlanta. He is a nationally known speaker and is the author of Memory and Abuse, Boundaries and Relationships, the best-selling Healing the Child Within and A Gift to Myself.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: HCI (March 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757300375
• ISBN-13: 978-0757300370
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charles L. Whitfield, M.D., is a physician, psychotherapist, and internationally recognized expert on mental illness, behavioral problems, and recovery. He has been on the faculty of the Rutgers University Summer Institute of Alcohol and Drug Studies since 1978, and in private practice of medicine and psychotherapy since 1976. He has been voted by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 1994. He lives in Atlanta, GA, and is in private practice with his wife, author and therapist, Barbara Harris Whitfield.

For the most up-to-date information about Dr. Whitfield and his work, please visit:
Barbara-Whitfield.Blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read, November 17, 2006

By 

A. Giordano "--Tony" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing (Paperback)

I've read more than dozen books this year on depression and related subjects, and this one is a real eye-opener. Dr. Whitfield pulls together hundreds of research studies examining depression and he finds the same patterns he saw in his own practice, namely that childhood trauma is a huge factor. The book goes on to provide extensive medical evidence explaining the specific ways in which trauma can lead to subsequent emotional disorder.

Everything in this book matches exactly with my own experience. I had been struggling for years to understand why I became depressed, and Dr. Whitfield's books have given me that understanding. It's very therapeutic to learn what happened to you and that it's not your fault.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject, and I'd also recommend Whitfield's "Healing the Child Within."

Incidentally, this book can be invaluable whether or not you agree with the author's position on medication, which is not the main point of the book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Truth About Depression" is my truth, September 8, 2004

By 

Maria Casas (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing (Paperback)

I wish I had read this book years ago. It would have saved me thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of go-no-where-therapy, and it would have given me a more real name for my so-called disease.
I was diagnosed with major depression almost a decade ago.
Doctors prescribed a string of antidepressants with no luck.
The side effects were painful and my depression continued.
There was a time, while taking Paxil, that I was suicidal most every day.
I tried Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Trazadone, and Wellbutrin, and none worked. The theory was that I had to keep trying until I hit the right pill. I felt victimized and misunderstood by my otherwise well-intentioned doctors.
From reading The Truth about Depression I learned that I had to grieve the pain of my losses instead of medicating them and share that pain with safe people. It has taken a lot of work and courage to face my pain. It was not an instant fix, but it has worked.
I have instead, grieved, gone through my sadness and eventually found some peace.
If I had medicated my grieving, I would have masked the pain with chemicals.
This book offers a revolutionary approach to chronic sadness that sheds light on an obscure disease and gives hope. I am not on antidepressants, do not have their bothersome side effects, and I am getting better.
The negative words below by GLBT ("Strongly biased") reflect how the drug industry and psychiatry have manipulated the public into believing their unproven claims about depression and other mental disorders. For more accuracy, check the other reviews below and the strong endorsements in the book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compeling data & approach, December 25, 2006

By 

Steve H "Steve" (St Pete, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing (Paperback)

A million thanks to Dr. Whitfield for helping me. An answer to my prayers - after numerous failed attempts with conventional psychiatry and their antidepressant drugs that didn't help me and often made me feel worse.