Search is Powered by Google
Depression News

Are There Benefits To Having Depression? Specialist In Neuroscience And Emotion Offers Radical New Approach To The Condition. New Book

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 22 Jan 2008 - 5:00 PDT

email icon email to a friend   printer icon printer friendly   write icon view / write opinions   rate icon rate article
Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:4 stars

3.86 (22 votes)

Health Professional:4 and a half stars

4.3 (10 votes)

Article Opinions: 2 posts

Depression affects huge numbers of people. One in four of us suffer from it at some point in our lives; one in ten will in the next year, and about one in twenty of us is living with the condition right now. Dr Paul Keedwell argues that, although depression is unpleasant and sometimes unbearable, it can have some long term benefits both for individuals and possibly for us as a species.

In his new book "How Sadness Survived" Dr Keedwell, a specialist in depression at the section of Neuroscience and Emotion, Institute of Psychiatry, London, proposes that depression can lead to increased resilience, empathy and creativity of thought. Examples of brilliant and successful people who have suffered from the condition - from Michelangelo to Winston Churchill - are highlighted.

Case examples support Dr Keedwell's suggestion that depression is a defence rather than a defect. The condition may have persisted and evolved as an effective response to life challenges and could still represent a potentially successful strategy in today's modern world.

Paul Keedwell offers a new approach to the benefits of negative emotions, and how we might view depression in a more constructive way.

"An important and novel analysis of the possible advantages of having a depression."
Lewis Wolpert, Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine

How Sadness Survived is now available from Radcliffe Publishing: click here.

Notes: Radcliffe Publishing has an extensive portfolio of books, journals and resources for healthcare and have been awarded contracts from key organizations such as Department of Health and Royal College of General Practitioners.

http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com




Personalized Homepage Weekly Newsletters Daily News Alerts
Opioid Induced Constipation ADHD Anxiety Asthma Autism Cancer Diabetes Lung Cancer Lupus Medicare / Medicaid Obesity and BMI Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells All 'What Is...' Articles All 'How To...' Articles

Ophthalmology Urology
About Us News Licensing Free Website Feeds Free Tools & Content Tell a Friend Accessibility Help / FAQ Article Submission Links Contact Us

add medical news today to your facebook
medical news gadget

Swine Flu Image

Swine Flu Updates

- Latest Swine Flu News
- What is Swine Flu?
- Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
- Swine Flu - Top 20 FAQ
- Daily Email News Alerts
Stick with Medical News Today for the latest news updates on swine flu.


These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Top Article Star
What is Hypochondria?
12 Feb 2009
If you have a preoccupying fear of having a serious illness you most likely suffer from hypochondria or hypochondriasis. A person with hypochondria continues thinking he is seriously ill despite appropriate medical...


Treating Major Depression image Treating Major Depression

Major depression is more than just suffering from a bad mood. It can affect just about everything you do, from how you sleep at night to how well you perform your job. Learn how you can feel better...

Depression Differs image Depression Differs

How do you know if you have depression? Learn what's involved in diagnosing the problem, and if your depression is the result of a biological cause, or something else...

View more videos...