This book examines existing treatments legislation and research methodology of depression and
exposes their limitations championing psycho-social support as an alternative. Depression
affecting 350 million people according to the World Health Organisation is almost invariably
diagnosed by the criteria of the American Psychiatric Association - a definition which
encompasses those with normal emotional responses to stressful life events.Tullio Giraldi
discusses recent developments in popular and academic dialogue related to the use of
antidepressants and recent increases in depression diagnosis and laments the rise in
prescribing antidepressants despite their links to suicide and unfulfilled promises of efficacy
and safety. He argues that psychotherapy is a cost effective treatment devoid of drugs' adverse
effects. This work presents psycho-social support as an alternative to antidepressants
particularly for less severe cases and as a more effective strategy for coping with the
emotional challenges of today's global reality. Patients students of medicine and psychology
and professionals of mental health will find this work valuable.
