Almost everyone has been touched by at least a mild form of depression, and thus has some sense of what severe depressive illness must be like. In addition to the most serious clinical cases which can lead to institutionalization or even suicide, this book explores the "normal" depression we all experience--the inevitable blues that accompany troubled personal relationships, career setbacks, or the death of a loved one. It provides a compelling treatment of questions about the nature of depression, where it comes from, who's at risk, and what it indicates about human experience. Depression is a highly prevalent health problem, affecting about 11 million Americans every year. Its costs are staggering - $43.7 billion annually in lost productivity, lost income, and increased health care costs. These numbers put depression on a par with heart disease as one of the most expensive diseases in the United States today. But, unlike heart disease, depression is widely misunderstood. About two-thirds of the cases of depression go undiagnosed and untreated. With a compelling mix of information, illustration, and interpretation, David B. Cohen explores the current state of knowledge about depression, including the powerful influence of genetics. In addition to depressive illness, the book deals with related ideas and topics such as mourning, mania, the rhythms of sleep, self concepts, and suicide. Insights from psychology and psychiatry are blended with history, literature, current events, and personal observation, and topped off with a dose of common sense.

1. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Children: Current Status and Guidelines for Future Research.- 1. Nonbehavioral Child Psychotherapy.- 2. Brief Abstracts of Research Providing Findings on the Factors Affecting the Process and Outcome of Parent and Child Psychotherapy.- 2.1. Psychotherapeutic Treatment of the Maladjusted Child in the Ordinary School.- 2.2. The Outcome of Psychotherapeutic Intervention with Delinquent Boys.- 2.3. Outcome of Child Psychotherapy as a Function of Frequency of Session.- 2.4. Concluding Remarks.- 3. Guidelines in Formulating Nonbehavioral Child Psychotherapy Research.- 3.1. Defining the Conceptual Link between the Characteristics of the Children and Families Being Treated and the Nature of the Therapeutic Process.- 3.2. The Research Design and Hypotheses.- 4. Concluding Remarks.- 5. References.- 2. Cognitive Mediators of the Outcome of Psychotherapy with Children.- 1. Rationale for This Review.- 2. Method Used to Identify Studies.- 3. Theoretical Perspectives on a Linkage between Cognitive Factors and Therapy Outcomes.- 4. Research on Cognitive Capacity as a Mediator of Therapy Effects.- 4.1. The Problem of Age as a Mediator.- 4.2. Mental Age.- 4.3. Piagetian Cognitive Level.- 4.4. Intelligence.- 5. Research on Cognitions as Mediators of Therapy Effects.- 5.1. Causal Attributions.- 5.2. Locus of Control.- 5.3. Control-Related Beliefs.- 6. Research on the Malleability of Child Cognitions.- 7. Research on the Effects of Modifying Child Cognitions.- 8. Summary and Critique of the Evidence.- 9. Recommendations for Future Research.- 10. References.- 3. Improving the Peer Relationships of Rejected Children.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Characteristics of Peer-Rejected Children.- 2.1. Definition.- 2.2. Correlates.- 2.3. Critical Features.- 2.4. Clinical Implications.- 3. Models of Peer Rejection and Treatment Approaches.- 3.1. Social Skills Deficits Model.- 3.2. Negative Behavior Model.- 3.3. Reputation Model.- 3.4. Integrated Model.- 4. Clinical Issues.- 4.1. Assessing Peer Relations without Sociometrics.- 4.2. Gaining Access to Peer Groups.- 4.3. Developmental Considerations.- 5. Conclusions.- 6. References.- 4. Diversion from the Juvenile Justice System: Research Evidence and a Discussion of Issues.- 1. Background Considerations.- 1.1. The Specific Context of the Adolescent Diversion Project.- 2. Developing the Original Model.- 2.1. Participant Youth.- 2.2. Student Volunteers.- 2.3. Intervention Model.- 2.4. Results.- 2.5. Conclusions from the Phase One Project.- 3. Phase Two of ADP Development.- 3.1. Youths Involved in Phase Two.- 3.2. Project Operation in Phase Two.- 3.3. Results from Phase Two.- 4. Phase Three of ADP Development.- 4.1. Youths Involved in Phase Three.- 4.2. Project Operation in Phase Three.- 4.3. Results from Phase Three.- 5. Phase Four of ADP Development.- 5.1. Youths Involved in Phase Four.- 5.2. Project Operation in Phase Four.- 5.3. Results from Phase Four.- 6. Critical Issues in the Operation of Diversion Programs.- 6.1. Clinical and Administrative Issues.- 7. Concluding Comments.- 8. References.- 5. Parental Child Abduction: The Problem and Possible Solution.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Epidemiology of Child Abduction.- 1.2. Effects on the Child.- 1.3. Possible Solutions.- 2. The Florida Project.- 2.1. Procedures.- 2.2. Outcome.- 3. The National Project.- 3.1. Changes in Procedures.- 3.2. Outcome.- 4. Discussion.- 5. References.- 6. Genetic Factors in Childhood Psychopathology: Implications for Clinical Practice.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Advance of Genetic Knowledge.- 1.2. Intelligence and Genetics.- 1.3. Mental Retardation.- 2. Personality and Psychopathology.- 2.1. Normal Personality.- 2.2. Genetic Factors in Behavioral Disorders.- 2.3. Child Psychopathology.- 3. Prevention of Mental Illness.- 4. Social and Ethical Problems Raised by the New Genetic Information.- 5. Other Ethical Issues.- 6. Conclusions.- 7. References.- 7. Obesity of Infancy and Early Childhood: A Diagnostic Schema.