Depression: A Very Short Introduction

What is depression? What is bipolar disorder? How are they diagnosed and how are they treated? This Very Short Introduction gives a history of these two disorders and considers how they are experienced and understood today. Scott and Tacchi also discuss how mood disorders can influence creativity.

Jan Scott has undertaken major research studies on both depression and manic depression. She is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London. She has published over 200 scientific papers and reviews, as well as textbooks, treatment manuals and book chapters for specialist and general readerships, books for individuals experiencing mood disorders and contributed to Government publications.
Mary Jane Tacchi is a Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry who is also trained in cognitive therapy. She instigated the Crisis assessment and home based treatment team in Newcastle- a development which won her the national 'Hospital Doctor of the Year Award' in 2002. She has undertaken research on the crisis team and home based treatment, on brief cognitive therapy for depression and adherence therapy for manic depression and has written extensively on the problems of engagement with services and adherence with treatment.