The Small Guide to Depression

From New York Times bestselling author and expert on neuroscience, memory, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, anxiety and human behavior, The Small Guide to Depression provides a comprehensive overview of depression, negative personality traits and anxiety -- along with the latest treatment solutions from conventional and alternative therapies to new scientific discoveries and interventions. Over 300 million people worldwide live with depression; in 2014, around 15.7 million adults age 18 or older in the U.S. had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year. This accessible guide starts with providing readers with an overview of depression: what it is, who gets it, how to recognize it, major causes (genetics, environment, etc.). Dr. Small discusses the various types of depression, general therapeutic approaches used for all depression disorders, and how to know when it's time to seek professional help. Each of the chapters will cover a specific type of depressoin and open with a case study example. Small will describe causes, symptoms, conventional treatments (e.g., medications, psychotherapy), alternative therapies (e.g., exercise, meditation, yoga, homeopathy), and novel therapies (e.g., transmagnetic stimulation [TMS]), as well as new scientific discoveries and interventions coming down the pike (e.g., focused ultrasound). In addition to case studies and patient interviews, all chapters will include side-bars with factoids, lists, and other helpful information.