Living Longer Depression Free or The Mitzvah of Healing

Living Longer Depression Free: A Family Guide to Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Depression in Later Life

Author: Mark D Miller

Depression affects people of all ages, but is both more common and more serious for those over sixty. As many as half of all nursing home residents have depression, as do up to 40 percent of those who visit primary care clinics. Late-life depression is a disease with unique risk factors. Health problems, physical limitations, the loss of loved ones, and fears about financial issues all contribute to an increased incidence of depression, which, despite its prevalence, is not a normal part of the aging process. It can intensify existing medical conditions such as chronic pain and is far more likely to lead to suicide than does depression in younger people. There is good news, however: 80 percent of older people who receive treatment for depression make a complete recovery and enjoy fulfilling lives.

In Living Longer Depression Free, Mark D. Miller, M.D., and Charles F. Reynolds III, M.D., draw on their considerable experience in geriatric psychiatry to help elderly persons, their families, and their physicians accurately diagnose and treat late-life depression. This comprehensive, up-to-date guide begins with a discussion of the different types of depression, their causes, and symptoms. The authors then describe how doctors evaluate depression; present the treatment options available to patients today, including psychotherapy, medication, and alternative treatments; and offer strategies for achieving long-term mental health. Each chapter opens with a list of frequently asked questions and uses case studies to personalize the information provided, and the book closes with a useful list of resources for further information, including hotlines and websites.

Compassionateand accessible, Living Longer Depression Free is an invaluable guide for older people and their families striving to overcome this debilitating disease and prevent its recurrence.

Library Journal

Both geriatric psychiatrists at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Miller and Reynolds here share their 20-plus years' experience of working with older people suffering from depression. As the authors remind readers, the incidence of depression significantly rises with age, and suicide, highly associated with depression, is five times more common in later life. This important, thorough work covers the various forms of and medical reasons for depression and how it's related to Alzheimer's and other diseases; reviews how to evaluate and treat depression, including medication and psychotherapy; and presents numerous strategies for staying free of depression for the long term. The helpful appendix contains hotline numbers of organizations that focus on depression and URLs related to depression and late-life issues. Though several works for health professionals contain similar information, this is the first book to address lay readers. Strongly recommended.-Dale Farris, Groves, TX Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Miller and Reynolds (both: psychiatry, U. of Pittsburgh) offer non-professionals a framework within which to understand depression in later life. Though the incidence of depression among seniors is high and growing, they say it is highly treatable, with full recovery in over 80% of elders who receive adequate treatment. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Table of Contents:

	Foreword
	Preface
I	Understanding Late-Life Depression
1	Recognizing Depression	3
2	The Many Forms of Depression	19
3	Medical Reasons for Depression in Later Life	34
4	Psychological and Social Reasons for Depression in Later Life	53
II	Evaluating and Treating Depression
5	Getting Help for Depression: Where to Go, What to Expect	67
6	Talking Therapy for Late-Life Depression	82
7	What Modern Medicine Can Offer for Late-Life Depression	97
8	Complementary or Alternative Treatments Used for Mental Health	116
III	Staying Free of Depression for the Long Term
9	Strategies for Living Depression Free for the Long Term	135
10	Future Research	154
	Appendix	159
	References	167
	Index	179

Book about: Great EMail Disasters or Larry Page and Sergay Brin

The Mitzvah of Healing: An Anthology of Jewish Texts, Meditations, Essays, Personal Stories, and Rituals

Author: Hara E Person

In The Mitzvah of Healing, readers are able to explore every facet of Jewish healing, from historical perspectives to personal stories, traditional texts to modern meditations and rituals. In this valuable collection, which originated with the women's affiliate of the Reform Movement, numerous difficult questions are addressed concerning the healing of body, mind and soul. The thoughts, prayers and experiences of Debbie Friedman, Rabbi Nancy Flum, Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Debbie Perlman and more contribute to this important collection of essays. Individuals, families and communities will be enriched, inspired and assisted on their paths of healing with this indispensable resource and guidebook.