Malignant Sadness

Front Cover
Faber & Faber, May 5, 2011 - Psychology - 298 pages

'An excellent book, the most objective short account I know of all the various approaches to depression.' Anthony Storr
Several years ago, Lewis Wolpert had a severe episode of depression. Despite a happy marriage and successful scientific career, he could think only of suicide. When he did recover, he became aware of the stigma attached to depression - and just how difficult it was to get reliable information. With characteristic candour and determination he set about writing this book, an acclaimed investigation into the causes and treatments of depression, which formed the basis for a BBC TV series.
This paperback edition features a new introduction, in which Wolpert discusses the reaction to his book and BBC series, and recounts his own recurring struggle with depression.

From inside the book

 

Selected pages

Contents

The Experience of Depression Past and Present
1
Defining and Diagnosing Depression
16
Mania
35
Other Cultures
41
Who Gets Depressed and Why?
51
Suicide
85
Emotion Evolution and Malignant Sadness
98
Psychological Explanations
113
Antidepressants and Physical Treatments
174
Psychotherapy
193
What Works?
210
An Excursion to the East
229
The Future
240
References
254
Index
264
About the Author
277

Biological Explanations and the Brain
138
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Malignant Sadness: The Anatomy of Depression
Lewis Wolpert
Limited preview - 1999
Malignant Sadness: The Anatomy of Depression
Lewis Wolpert
No preview available - 2001
Malignant Sadness: The Anatomy of Depression
Lewis Wolpert
No preview available - 2006
View all »

Common terms and phrases

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About the author (2011)

Lewis Wolpert is a distinguished developmental biologist, and is Emeritus Professor in Cell and Developmental Biology at University College, London. He is the author of, among others, The Unnatural Nature of Science and Malignant Sadness, which was described by Anthony Storr as 'the most objective short account of all the various approaches to depression'. His most recent book, You're Looking Very Well: The Surprising Nature of Getting Old, was published in 2011.

Bibliographic information

TitleMalignant Sadness
AuthorLewis Wolpert
PublisherFaber & Faber, 2011
ISBN0571266711, 9780571266715
Length298 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Psychology / Mental Health
Psychology / Psychopathology / Depression
  
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