Includes bibliographical references and index.

Sorrow and natural despondency -- Affective disorders: major depression, dysthymia, and manic-depressive illness -- Seasonal depressions -- Depression in childhood and adolescence -- Women, men, and depression -- The elderly and depression -- Physical illness, pain, somatic symptoms, and depression -- Substance abuse and depression -- Eating disturbances and depression -- Anxiety and depression -- Sleep and depression -- Biological theories on the causes of depression -- Psychological theories on the causes of depression -- Hormones, stress, and depression -- Nature or nurture: which matters most? -- See a doctor for treatment -- Treatment with antidepressant medication -- Sexuality, depression, and antidepressant medication -- Electroconvulsive therapy and light therapy -- Psychological forms of treatment -- Advice to family members -- Self-help in depression -- Suicide and depression: when zest for life is gone.