Major Depression &
Dysthymic Disorder

Annotated Bibliography

Anisman, H., & Zacharko, R. M. (1982). Depression: The predisposing influence of stress. The Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 5, 89-137.

This extensive review critiques literature regarding stress-depression relationship. The authors suggest that a biological depletion of amines is caused by the experience of uncontrollable stress when coping behavior proves inadequate protection from the affects of such stress. This amine shortage exacerbates depressive symptoms in an attempt to deal biochemically with the stressor. This review, written in 1982, is still inkeeping with present day biological theories of depression.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

The DSM-IV was created to assist mental health professionals in making consistent and reliable diagnostic decisions, and stresses the importance of proper clinical training of clinicians or those making use of the manual. Use of the manual is explained, with details given on the official coding system, guidelines on criteria and severity of the disorder, and proper reporting of dual diagnoses under Axis I and II. DSM-IV provides mental health professionals with an enormous amount of standardized information regarding mental diagnoses and is an essential tool for those working within the field of mental health.

Becker, J. (1974). Depression: Theory and research. Washington, D. C.: V. H. Winston & Sons, Inc.

Becker's book on the theories and research of depression is a compilation of related theory of the day. Depression: Theory and Research is still a good resource for research into the area of depression, and offers reliable information regarding the function of biology and theory in regards to a better understanding of depression.

Bodlund, O. (1997). Anxiety and depression as a hidden problem in primary health care: Only one case in four identified. Lakartidningen, 94 (49), 4612-4614, 4617-4618.

Based on the notion that anxiety and depression often go unidentified and untreated, Bodlund's research focused on primary care patients, assessing the rate at which those patients subsequently diagnosed with anxiety and depression were offered proper treatment and medication by their primary care physicians. They found 53% of patients suffering from depression were not offered the proper treatment, indicating further education of physicians and a need for more social service contacts.

Bower, B. (1993). Weighing the causes of severe depression. Science News, 144, 102.

Bower offers a brief look at research done in the area of stress as opposed to genetic causes of depression. The article calls attention to the strength of stressful events in predicting depressive symptoms, and places these events ahead of genetic influences in association with depression.

Broocks, A., Meyer, T., George, A., Pekrun, G., Hillmer-Vogel, U., Hajak, G., Bandelow, B., & Ruther, E. (1997). Value of sports in treatment of psychiatric illness. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol, 47 (11), 379-393.

These authors suggest that exercise can provide therapeutic effect in cases of mild to moderate depression. The article discusses possible neurobiological and psychological reasons for the effectiveness of physical exercise.

Devine, D., Kempton, T., & Forehand, R. (1994). Adolescent depressed mood and young adult functioning: A longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 22 (5), 629-640.

Devine and associates found that depressed mood is relatively stable throughout adolescence. Also, four areas of adolescent functioning were looked at in this study. Depressive symptoms were found to be predictive of prosocial competence, self-esteem, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems into early adulthood. These findings point out that adolescents do not simply out grow depressive symptoms.

Gilbert, P. (1992). Depression: The evolution of powerlessness. New York: The Guilford Press.

This interesting book outlines the historical influence, development of classification, and potential cause and effect theories relating to depression. Of particular interest is Gilbert's work on the evolution of mental mechanics and the role of social power in regards to depression. Gilbert points to the need for future multidisciplinary research into the biosocial aspects of depression.

Ganguli, M., Mulsant, B., Richards, S., Stoehr, G., & Mendelsohn, A. (1997). Antidepressant use over time in a rural older adult population: The MoVIES Project. The Journal of American Geriatric Society, 45 (12), 1501-1503.

This longitudinal study examined the use of antidepressant drugs by a rural, older population. It found that while the type of drug used was similar to that of the general population, favoring SSRIs over TACs, the older population was less likely to report symptoms of depression. This reflects the growing awareness that depression in the elderly often goes unreported and untreated.

Horgan, J. (1996). Multicultural studies: Rates of depression vary widely throughout the world. Scientific American [On-line]. Available: http://www.sciam.com/1196issue/1196scicit4.html

This article discusses a study lead by Myrna Weissman that focuses on a multicultural comparison of a lifetime risk of depression, using the DSM-III as criteria for comparison. Weissman worked with many other researchers, and data from 10 countries was analyzed, completing the largest study of this kind.

Hoyt, L., Cowen, E., Pedro-Carroll, J., & Alpert-Gillis, L. (1990). Anxiety and depression in young children of divorce. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19 (1), 26-32.

Second and third grade children of divorced parents were compared to children of two-parent traditional families in the areas of anxiety and depression by using teacher- rated, parent-rated, and children self-report measures. Children of divorce appear to share a greater risk for developing anxiety and depressive symptoms, implicating the need for education and prevention.

Jackson, S. W. (1985). Acedia the sin and its relationship to sorrow and melancholia. In A. Kleinman & B. Good (Eds.), Culture and depression (pp.43-62). Berkeley: University of California Press.

Jackson gives a historical account of the Western origins of the term depression. He refers to acedia and melancholia, and describes the nature of each condition providing the reader with a good understanding of the stigma attached to the present day meaning of depression.

Julien, R. M. (1997). A primer of drug action: A concise, nontechnical guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (8th ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman and Company.

This comprehensive guide to psychoactive drugs is used by mental health professionals, physicians, and instructors alike. Julien covers everything from pharmacokinetics and pharmocodynamics to the basic anatomy of the brain. In-depth information, sensitive to children and the elderly, covers all mind altering drugs, and is a must for anyone working in the mental health field.

Kendler, K. S., & Karkowski-Shuman, L. (1997). Stressful life events and genetic liability to major depression: Genetic control of exposure to the environment? Psychological Medicine, 27, (3), 539-547.

This interesting twin study explores the risk factor of stressful life events in relation to genetic predisposition in 2164 female twins. Findings show that the genetic liability of these women increased the risk for several stressful life events. The authors offer evolutionary theory as an implication of this research.

Lewis-Hall, F. C., Wilson, M. G., Tepner, R. G., & Koke, S. C. (1997). Fluoxetine vs. tricyclic antidepressants in women with major depressive disorder. Journal of Womenis Health, 6, (3), 337-343.

These researchers choose women for their study because women are often side stepped in this type of research due to risks of pregnancy. They found that fluoxetine had less serious side effects than tricyclic antidepressants, and is a tolerable antidepressant treatment for Major Depression in women.

Morgan, W. P. (Ed). (1997) Physical activity and mental health. Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis.

Physical Activity and Mental Health looks at the importance of physical activity as a means to prevent health and mental health problems. It looks at what is required to become and remain physically active, as well as how to handle the mental health patient receiving drug therapy. This book details the clinical findings or effects of exercise on moods, and offers several explanations as to it effectiveness. An interesting look at what the future holds in store for mental health patients.

Muller, W. E., Rolli, M., Schafer, C., & Hafner, U. (1997). Effects of hypericum extract (LI 160) in biochemical models of antidepressant activity. Pharmacopsychiatry, 2, 102-107.

Hypericum extract was studied to determine the mechanism of action. It was found from the treatment of rats, that receptors in the frontal cortex were affected much like they are with antidepressants of the tricyclic classification. The reuptake of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine were inhibited and serotonin receptors were up-regulated, while beta-receptors were down-regulated.

Norden, M. K. (1995). Beyond prozac. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Norden, with his extensive background surrounding the antidepressant drug Prozac, offers alternative choices to traditional drug treatments for depressive patients. This book explains the role of certain things like serotonin, the weather, and diet in the development of depression, and provides thought provoking ideas that may change the typical way society responds to the sufferers of mood disorders.

Obeyesekere, G. (1985). Depression, Buddhism, and the work of culture in Sri Lanka. In A. Kleinman & B. Good (Eds.), Culture and depression (pp. 134-152). Berkeley: University of California Press.

This article stresses the importance of the interrelationship of cultural systems. He maintains that a universal method for looking at individual symptoms and behaviors, as in the case of depression, is improper and fails to address the unique nature of many cultures, such as the Buddhists of Sri Lanka.

Oppenheim, J. (1991). Shattered nerves: Doctors, patients, and depression in Victorian England. New York: Oxford University Press.

Oppenheim explores at great length the sad, and disturbing nature of depression in the English, Victorian era. She explains many of the beliefs, values, and stigmas surrounding this "nerve disease" that have followed the course of depression in men, women, and children to the present time.

O'Toole, S. J., & Johnson, D. A. (1997). Psychobiology and psychopharmaco- therapy of unipolar major depression: A review. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 11, 304-313.

This review covers the development of complex biological perspectives of major depression while at the same time considering the influence these developments have had on the development of psychopharmacotherapy in relation to major depression, and vice versa.

Page, M. E., & Abercrombie, E. D. (1997). An analysis of the effects of acute and chronic fluoxetine on extracellular norepinephrine in the rat hippocampus during stress. Neuropsychopharmacology, 16, (6), 419-429.

Page and Abercrombie studied the effects of tailpinch-induced norepinephrine (NE) release in rats treated with single doses of fluoxetine as opposed to chronic treatment of fluoxetine. While single dose treatment did not significantly alter NE release, chronic fluoxetine treatment did produce an increased, and longer lasting NE response to the tailpinch. This research substantiates fluoxetine's therapeutic efficacy.

Paul, S. M. (1990). Introduction: Serotonin and its effects on human behavior. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 51 (4), 3.

Paul introduces the work of several researchers in the area of serotonergic neurotransmission. Their work supports the role of serotonin as the underlying pathophysiology of depression and antidepressant drug effects.

Petersen, A., Sarigiani, P., & Kennedy, R. (1991). Adolescent depression: Why more girls? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 20 (2), 247-271.

This study researches the evidence that suggests females come to be at greater risk than men for developing depression. It focuses on the development of coping mechanisms in boys as compared to girls and looks at several explanations for the differences between boys and girls risk for developing depressed affect. The authors conclude that girls are at greater risk because they experience more challenges in early adolescence than boys.

Physicians' desk reference family guide to womenis health and prescription drugs. (1994). Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Data Production Company.

This reference makes a handy, easy to read and understand, addition to any familyis library. It describes most major health problems and discusses any actions that should be taken. It also contains an extensive prescription drug listing that offers information on dosages, costs, and implications.

Pinel, J. P. (1997). Biopsychology (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Pinel's text offers thorough and up-to-date information about the biopsychology of the human brain. He provides basic information about nervous system anatomy and synaptic transmission, and also explains specific systems such as the visual system, the sensorimotor system, hormones, and reward circuits in the brain. This text provides good reference material for the student.

Rodney, J., Prior, N., Cooper, B., Theodoros, M., Browning, J., Steinberg, B., & Evans, L. (1997). The comorbidity of anxiety and depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 31, 700-703.

This research explores the relationship between the presence or absence of comorbid anxiety and the choice of treatment utilized for treatment of patients experiencing major depressive episodes, as well as the treatment outcome. It was found that the presence of comorbid anxiety did not effect the choice of treatment of the treatment outcome, suggesting a close relationship between anxiety and depression.

Salzman, C. (1993). Pharmacologic treatment of depression in the elderly. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 54 (2), 23-28.

Some antidepressant medications are more effective than others when used to treat depression in the elderly. This article describes the special issues facing the elderly when taking antidepressant medication, and explains the benefits and disadvantages of the more popular antidepressant drugs.

Schieffelin, E. (1985). The cultural analysis of depressive affect: An example from New Guinea. In A. Kleinman & B. Good (Eds.), Culture and depression (pp. 101-133). Berkeley: University of California Press.

Schieffelin views depressive affect as a social phenomena and bases this belief on the differing ways in which individual cultures express emotions. He sees that certain affects are expected and experienced according to social rules, therefore, certain emotions may or may not be part of a given culture.

Schneider, L. S. (1996). Overview of generalized anxiety disorder in the elderly. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 57 (7), 34-45.

Schneider acknowledges the difficulty of sorting through the variety of symptoms that resemble generalized anxiety disorder, but maintains that accurate diagnosis is essential in improving the daily functioning of the elderly. Epidemiology, characteristics of anxiety, medication, and treatment are thoroughly discussed in this article.

Thompson, J. G. (1988). The psychobiology of emotions. New York: Plenum Press.

This text still offers reliable reference material regarding theories of emotional behavior including the traditional behavioral theories as well as neurochemical or biochemical theories. Standard information like this is always a good resource for the student or researcher in need of straight forward, understandable facts.

Valente, S. M. (1994). Recognizing depression in elderly patients. American Journal of Nursing, 12, 19-25.

Because Major Depression affects 20 to 40% of Americans over age 60, it is important for care givers and professionals to understand the nature of Major Depression in the elderly. Valente offers solid information about what to look for, and how to handle depression in that ever growing age group. Evaluating risks, fostering self-esteem and family support are some of the topics covered in this article.

Wolman, B. B., & Stricker, G. (Eds.). (1990). Depressive disorders: Facts, theories, and treatment methods. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Wolman and Stricker not only provide comprehensive material on depressive disorders, they flavor their information with interesting facts and issues along the way. This book contains all the information needed for a basic or beginning understanding of depressive disorders, and is a good resource for students and depressives alike.

Yama, M., Tovey, S., & Fogas, B. (1993). Childhood family environment and sexual abuse as predictors of anxiety and depression in adult women. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 63 (1), 136-141.

The authors of this study explored the possibility that positive or negative family environment plays a role in the risk level of female sexual abuse victims of developing anxiety and depressive symptoms. They did find an association between a child's negative family environment and greater risk for later symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study acknowledges certain limitations, but does hold that the results provide data of potential interest to clinicians and researchers alike.

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