Full Description
This book is presented as a 1989 update on the task set by Robert Burton in his "Anatomy ofMelancholy," published in 1621. Burton's treatise addressed ques- tions regarding depression which are still highly relevant today: "...What is it, with all the kinds, causes, symptoms, prognostickes and several cures ofit..." These remain the core issues in affective disorders notwithstanding the remarkable progress that has been made in addressing them. New Directions in Affective Disorders sets out to provide an overviewofwhat has been achieved with particular emphasison developing trends and novel initiatives in bothfundamental research and treatment. The overriding objective of the book is to integrate significant contributions from basic and clinical science into a comprehensive format which will be of value to both clinicians and researchers. Intensive interest in affective illness isan inevitableconsequenceofthe frequency with which these disorders occur. Depression is the most common psychiatric condition, affecting as many as 50%ofpeople in Western countries at some time in their lives.
National Institute ofMental Health Statistics estimate that 15% of adults between 18 and 74 years ofage may be suffering from serious depressive disorders in any given year. Depression is a serious condition with a high mortality. A suicide rate ofapproximately 20,000 deaths per year as a result of this illness is almost certainly a conservative estimate.
Contents
Contributors.- I Pathogenesis of Affective Disorders and Basic Mechanisms of Drug Action.- I.A. Animal Models and Antidepressant Predictability.- I.B. Monoamines and Neuropeptides.- I.C. Cholinergic Mechanisms.- I.D. Basic Mechanisms of Antidepressants and Anxiolytics.- I.E. Basic Mechanisms of Lithium Action.- I.F. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.- II Neurobiology of Affective Disorders.- II. A. New Genetic Findings.- II.B. Biological Markers.- II.C. Chronobiology.- II.D. Psychoneuroendocrinology.- III Affective Disorders in Populations at Risk.- III.A. Affective Disorders and Suicide.- III.B. Affective Disorders During Childhood and Adolescence.- III.C. Affective Disorders in the Elderly.- III.D. Affective Disorders and Reproductive Cyclicity in Women.- IV Related Affective Syndromes.- IV.A. Anxiety Disorders.- IV.B. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.- IV.C. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.- IV.D. Anorexia and Bulimia.- IV.E. Schizoaffective Disorder.- V New Directions in Treatment.- V.A. Classification and Pharmacotherapy.- V.B. Anticonvulsants in Affective Disorder.- V.C. Treatment Strategies for Resistant Depression.- V.D. Antidepressants in Clinical Practice: Placebo Response in Depression.- V.D. Antidepressants in Clinical Practice: Plasma Levels of Antidepressants.- V.D. Antidepressants in Clinical Practice: Adverse Effects of Antidepressants.- V.E. GABA-Mimetics as Antidpressants.- V.F. Therapeutic Variations in ECT Administration.- V.G. Psychotherapy of Depression.
