Depression: The Evolution of Powerlessness offers a fresh perspective on research, theory and conceptualisations of the depressive disorders, derived from evolution theory and arguing for the adoption of the biopsychosocial model.
The book is split into three parts. Part I explores the major distinctions between all types of depression and Part II offers an overview of evolution theory and its application to depression. Part III covers the major theories of depression; theories are compared and contrasted, highlighting controversies, weaknesses and strengths, and where cross fertilisation of ideas may be beneficial. The final chapter outlines why simple theories of aetiology are inadequate and explores the role of culture and social relationships as elicitors of many forms of depression.
This Classic Edition, with a new introduction from the author, brings Paul Gilbert's early work to a new audience, and will be of interest to clinicians, researchers and historians in the field of psychology.
Acknowledgements Introduction to Classic Edition Part 1: Types; History, Diagnoses, Epidemiology, and Personality 1. Introduction: Controversies Old and New 2. Depression: Types and Distinctions 3. Epidemiology: Relapse and Long-term Outcome 4. Personality, Personality Disorder and Depression Part 2: Concepts; The Evolution of Mental Mechanisms and the Needs for Power, Belonging and Self-value 5. The Evolution of Mental Mechanisms 6. The Evolution of Social Power and its Role in Depression 7. Notes on the Evolution of Self 8. Patterns of Depressive Self-organisation: Shame, Guilt, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Anger and Envy Part 3: Past and Current Theories 9. Psychoanalytic Theories of Depression: The Early Schools 10. Depression as Thwarted Needs 11. Archetypes, Biosocial Goals, Mentalities and Depressive Themes 12. Aspirations, Incentives and Hopelessness 13. Cognitive Theories of Depression 14. Behavioural Theories of Depression 15. Life Events, Interpersonal Theories and the Family 16. Conclusions: Complexities, Therapies and Loose Ends References Index Appendices
Biography
Paul Gilbert, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and has been actively involved in research and treating people with shame-based and mood disorders for over 30 years. He is a past President of the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy and a fellow of the British Psychological Society. He was awarded the OBE for contributions to mental health in 2011.
'Reading this book changed my life as a researcher, guiding me into entirely new lines of inquiry. It provides an extraordinarily wide-ranging and erudite review of psychosocial theories and research about depression, but its greatest contribution is the elaboration of an evolutionarily-informed analysis of depression, especially how losses of rank and status and of social connection with others can activate evolved mechanisms that regulate affect and behavior and thereby trigger the syndrome of depression. Even 25 years later the book contains innumerable rich veins of novel ideas and hypotheses waiting to be mined by researchers and clinicians interested in depression.' - Professor David Zuroff, Department of Psychology, McGill University
