Handbook of Depression

“The breadth of topics covered is impressive, their sequence is logical, and chapters within a section are well integrated. Researchers across disciplines should find it a useful introduction to our current understanding of depression.”

—Psychological Medicine (on the second edition)


“Spectacular and insightful....Well written and conscientiously organized....This text provides the practitioner, the researcher, and others who need to know about the disorder an extensive, in-depth collection depicting the condition of depression providing intervention options with the ultimate goal of prevention....Recommended reading for anyone in the mental health arena.”

—Social Work in Mental Health (on the first edition)


“A valuable sourcebook not only for practitioners and researchers but also for graduate students, interns, and residents.”

—Psychiatric Services (on the first edition)


“The editors have done an excellent job of gathering together experts for each topic…Highly recommended.”

—Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy (on the first edition)


“The editors, recognized leaders in the field, have assembled a variety of experts to present a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of what is known about depression….Each chapter is free-standing and can be read independently and profitably on its own….Anyone spending time with the volume, part or all of its 642 pages of text, will come away enriched by a deeper appreciation of what is known scientifically about depression, and equally what is unknown, uncertain, and unsettled.”

—Journal of Clinical Psychiatry


“Leading authorities in the field cover the entire body of depression research, including diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and the biological and psychological components. The well-written chapters address the latest advances, including multilevel systems. I highly recommend this volume to clinicians and researchers who want to keep up with exciting developments in the field.”

—Aaron T. Beck, MD, University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania


“In this updated edition of their classic handbook, Gotlib and Hammen, both widely regarded authorities on depression, have brought together a set of experts who provide current research and theory about this rapidly changing area. The result is a single volume that is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, students, and anyone interested in gaining the most comprehensive and thoughtful perspective on one of the most prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorders.”

—Jill M. Hooley, DPhil, Department of Psychology, Harvard University


“Gotlib and Hammen have assembled a stellar group of authors to produce a masterwork on depression. This volume comprehensively, yet accessibly, covers the scientific bases of mood disorders, making it appropriate for practitioners, researchers, and students. The third edition has expanded the scope of the prior edition to include new chapters on bipolar disorder, as well as fully updating it to be compatible with DSM-5 and the NIMH RDoC initiative. The editors close with an extensive section on both the prevention and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. If someone could only read one book on mood disorders, this would be it.”

—Richard C. Shelton, MD, Charles Byron Ireland Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham


“Gotlib and Hammen's third edition of their seminal handbook builds on earlier editions with new emphasis on bipolar disorder and a stronger focus on important methodological issues, longitudinal research, and large-scale multisite studies of depression. Timely chapters by eminent scientists add luster to this fine volume. I recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in depression and bipolar disorder. Certainly, it will serve as an outstanding text for a graduate-level course on depression.”

—Michael W. O'Hara, PhD, Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology, University of Iowa


“This well-organized, thoughtful volume brings together both theory and empirical findings pertinent to depressive and bipolar conditions. The third edition contains new material, particularly covering advances in biology, neuroimaging, genetics, and treatment. It is an ideal text for psychology students and psychiatry residents, as well as mental health practitioners wanting up-to-date information on the presentation, course, and biological and psychological basis for mood disorders, as well as their prevention and treatment.”

—A. John Rush, MD, Department of Psychiatry (Emeritus), Duke-National University of Singapore