Table of Contents

Section A: Understanding depression 1. What is depression? 2. How is depression diagnosed? 3. What are the causes of depression? 4. Whom does depression affect? Section B: Understanding treatments 5. Psychological treatments 6. Antidepressant drugs 7. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Section C: Modular self-help 8. Fighting depression 9. Defeating thinking errors 10. Managing stress 11. Managing anxiety 12. Fighting thoughts of self-harm 13. Fighting suicidal thoughts 14. Building confidence and self-esteem 15. Building relationships 16. Improving concentration and memory 17. Coping with psychotic symptoms 18. Monitoring your physical health 19. Eating healthily 20. Taking exercise 21. Sleeping well 22. Staying off alcohol and drugs 23. Preventing relapses Section D: Mental healthcare services and the law 24. A guide to mental healthcare services 25. The care programme approach 26. The Mental Health Act 27. Driving and DVLA regulations 28. Social benefits 29. Advice for carers 30. Useful addresses

About the Author

Dr Neel Burton is a psychiatrist and philosopher who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is the recipient of the Society of Authors' Richard Asher Prize, the British Medical Association's Young Authors' Award, and the Medical Journalists' Association Open Book Award. His other books include The Art of Failure and The Meaning of Madness, both also with Acheron Press.