
How Sadness Survived
The Evolutionary Basis of Depression
CRC Press
1st Edition
Published on 20. January 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
194 pages
978-1-84619-013-1 (ISBN)
Description
"What I am offering is a critical overview of ideas about depression, some new, some old, which fall under the discipline of 'evolutionary psychology'(EP). Do most types of depression represent an adaptation - an evolved mechanism which has improved our survival and reproductive value in our ancestral environment? Has depression been selected? Could it still be useful to us today? This book makes a contribution to the field while communicating the issues to a wider audience than EP currently receives and deserves. There are important implications for how we should prevent or treat an increasingly common condition, and how we might view the condition in a more constructive way." - Paul Keedwell, in the Preface.
Reviews / Votes
'A well researched book that presents a strong case for depression being understood as potentially beneficial for psychological growth. This book will be particularly helpful to those working in medical environments.' KAREN MINIKIN, THERAPY TODAY 'Looks at how sufferers may experience long-term beneficial effects from this debilitating disease...Recommended.' CHOICEMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
254 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84619-013-1 (9781846190131)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2008
1st Edition
CRC Press
€32.99
Available for download

E-Book
01/2008
1st Edition
CRC Press
€32.99
Available for download
Persons
Consultant Psychiatrist and Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London
Content
Genes, disease and depression: busting myths. Some important assumptions about depression. The war of depression: an ancient human condition or a modern malaise? Living on a boat. Why weepest thou? Is depression universal? Depression's place in the animal kingdom. Adaptation or fluff? What has depression ever done for us? Putting on the brakes. Taking stock (the vision quest). Beneficial by-products. Treating depression: new perspectives. The loss of depression's adaptive power? Should we treat depression?