Download or read book Unipolar Depression written by Ian M. Goodyer and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2003 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unipolar major depression is one of the most prevalent and serious of the mental health disorders. It can result in chronic mental and physical ill health, social difficulties and suicide. The disorder occurs across the lifespan; however, its characteristics and outcomes vary with the age of the sufferer. Children, adolescents, adults and the elderly may all present with a depressive illness but the characteristics, response to treatment and final outcome show considerable variations between age groups. The extent to which genetic and environmental factors and processes contribute to the onset may be influenced by the developmental components of human growth and ageing. Equally, the social context within which depressions occur are not the same at different points in life. There are also known to be differences in relative responses to psychological and pharmacological treatments across the lifespan. Unipolar Depression: A Lifespan Perspective examines these, and other issues, focusing on the continuities and discontinuities that arise in the nature of the disorder and how genetic, hormonal, psychological and social processes operate differentially throughout life. The chapters are written by major figures from the field of clinical research into depressive illness. This will be essentially reading for all mental health professionals with an interest in mood disorders as well as those responsible for devising mental health policy and planning services.