Overcoming Depression (Hardcover)

by Demitri F., M.D. Papolos (Author), Janice Papolos (Author) "When we first told friends and people outside the psychiatric field that we were writing a book on depression and manic-depression, we expected polite but..." (more)
Key Phrases: manicdepressive illness, recurrent unipolar depression, divalproex sodium, Social Security, United States, National Institute of Mental Health (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Mood disorderscrippling sieges of depression or uncontrollable maniaafflict members of one in five families, but recent advances in psychiatric and medical evaluation and treatment may substantially reduce that statistic in the near future. In this exploration of the nature and course of depression, Demitri Papolos of New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Janice Papolos, author of The Performing Artist's Handbook, describe an ideal approach, contrasting it with the actual treatment most patients receive. Included are evaluations of medication therapy, of electro-convulsive treatment and the recent application of research findings to patients and families in counseling. A wealth of informationmodel treatments, resources for coping with the social implications of affective disorders, etc.is made accessible to the layperson in a concise, clear format. Prevention Book Club and Psychotherapy and Social Science Book Club alternates.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Concise, clearly written, and up-to-date. An excellent resource for patients and families afflicted by depression and manic-depressive illness." -- --E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., author ofSurviving Schizophrenia

"Helpful and practical information for depressed persons and their families." -- --Los Angeles Times

"The most comprehensive book available for the layperson on depression. A storehouse of useful, indeed essential, information." -- --Donald F. Klein, M.D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

"This is the best book on depression for general audiences that I have ever seen....I strongly recommend this book." -- --Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D., chairman, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Galveston --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 319 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060157569
• ISBN-13: 978-0060157562
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,488,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one book I'd like to buy for every person who loves me., March 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Depression: Respected Reference for the Millions Who Suffer from Depression and Manic Depression and for Their Families (Paperback)

Over the past months I have read many books about depression and bipolar disorder, including the 1992 version of this book. Out of all the titles I have read, this is the one that I feel would be most helpful to my loved ones in understanding what goes on inside my body and my head. It uses simple language, and all information is presented in a factual yet empathetic manner that will allow anyone at any age or reading level from adolescent to elderly to grasp.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Can Only Buy One Book On This Subject - Buy This One, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Depression, 3rd edition (Paperback)

This is the first book my wife, Melissa, and I bought after I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic-depression) in 1989. Today, with its newly revised and updated version, "Overcoming Depression" is still my number one recommendation to all my readers.

Education is the key to fighting these brain disorders and the stigma that is associated with mental illness. "Overcoming Depression" is invaluable because it teaches the sufferer and the supporter everything they need to know about diagnosis, treatment, coping skills, research and even recovery - and it is written so anyone can easily understand it.

Melissa and I give this book credit for saving my life and our marriage. It saved my life because it taught us what we needed to do to beat my bipolar disorder. It saved our marriage because it taught Melissa to understand my brain disorder. This understanding allowed her to be more patient with me until I found a treatment to end my suffering, and it taught her how to best support me during that nonstop five-year struggle.

If you can only afford to buy one book about depression and bipolar disorder, I encourage you to buy this one. Again, I recommend it to all my readers and anyone dealing with these brain disorders - including both sufferers and supporters.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I must have missed something, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Depression, 3rd edition (Paperback)

If you are trying to work through your depression, then this book isn't for you. For the common layperson, this book is too technical. It tells about the history of lithium, it's full of charts, diagrams of the brain, and statistics. There is a whole section on having someone committed and costs. I'm sure this information may be valuable to some people, but the book should be titled something else. I don't see how it benefits someone "Overcoming Depression". Most of the pertinent information about this illness can be found in other resources. Save your money.