Biologically Informed Psychotherapy for Depression

This volume presents an integrated approach to the psychotherapy of patients with depressive disorders that incorporates state-of-the-art biological knowledge. Providing an overview of the most-studied biological theories of depressive disorders, the book also reviews the primary symptoms of depression and DSM-IV criteria for various depressive disorders. The authors then synthesize elements of psychoeducational, cognitive, and behavioral therapies, psychodynamic understanding, coping skills training, family therapy, and psychopharmacology into a cohesive treatment designed to prepare nonprescribing therapists of all disciplines to help people suffering from depressive illnesses live more effectively. The book also explores how the principles of biologically informed psychotherapy for depression are applicable to other disorders.

Stephen R. Shuchter received his B.A. and M.D. from the University of Chicago and trained in psychiatry at Yale University. A Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Dr. Shuchter has been the Director of Outpatient Psychiatric Services since 1975, where he has been an active clinician, researcher, and teacher in the areas of grief, depression, and psychotherapy. Married and the father of three daughters, he is active as a professional musician and is a recent Senior Olympics gold medalist in basketball.

Sidney Zisook trained in psychiatry at Massachusetts general Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He was an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas at Houston, where he directed the outpatient service and ran the Psychiatric and Behavioral Science Program before moving to UCSD in 1981. Currently, Dr. Zisook is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Residency Training in Psychiatry at UCSD. He has a long and abiding interest in training and education, and has been an active contributor to the psychiatric literature in the areas of grief and bereavement, mood disorders, and psychiatric treatments.

Nancy Downs graduated with distinction from the Human Biology Program at Stanford University, and received her M.D. from UCSD. She completed a psychiatric residency at UCSD and was awarded the Chairman's Research Prize for her paper, "The Relationship Between Affective Disorders and Personality Disorders in Psychiatric Outpatients." Dr. Downs is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor and Associate Residency Training Director for the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD. As a board certified psychiatrist, she enjoys teaching medical students and residents and working with and learning from the patients she sees at the UCSD Outpatient Clinic. Her favorite forms of coping are running, making music, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and son.