Men and Depression - (Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional) by Sam V Cochran & Fredric E Rabinowitz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Men and Depression: Clinical and Empirical Perspectives is the only book currently available that integrates psychological theories and the latest research findings with clinical recommendations for working with men who are suffering from depression. This volume covers a wide range of topics and issues that relate to men and depression, including: assessment of male depression; statistics on depression in men; theories to explain depression in men; treating depression in men with both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy; the interrelation of grief, loss, trauma, and depression in men; the problem of suicide and how to assess and treat suicide risk in men; and prospects for future work in this important area.This is a unique reference and practical guide that integrates and evaluates research and clinical practice relating to the diagnosis and treatment of men with depression. The volume explores why men are underdiagnosed and undertreated for mood disorders and provides the clinician with practical guidelines for conceptualizing a treatment plan for men with depression.

Review Quotes

"This is an extremely thoughtful analysis of the ways men express and experience depression, and the causes of depression in men. Cochran and Rabinowitz mix careful scholarship with clinical insights and vignettes. This book will be helpful both for clinicians and for researchers concerned with the special issues of men and depression." --SUSAN NOLEN-HOEKSEMA, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Director, Gender and Mental Health Program, University of Michigan

"A much needed volume for a sorely understudied topic. Indeed, according to the stereotypes that define manhood, "men and depression" would be considered by some to be an oxymoron. As Drs. Cochran and Rabinowitz so clearly demonstrate, such stereotypes often prevent men from seeking help for depression, contributing to their greater likelihood of committing suicide. Men and Depression is a vital resource for the clinician providing the most up-to-date information on the recognition, variation, diagnosis and treatment of depression in men." --RONALD F. LEVANT, Ed.D., ABPP, Co-Author, Masculinity Reconstructed, Dean, Psychology, Nova Southeastern University

"This is an excellent book! Readable and informative, it provides a comprehensive review of the literature on male depression--a condition often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. The authors review the ways in which the role of cultural expectations can make it difficult for men to understand and accept depressed feelings and the pressure from society not to admit to them. They suggest that the underestimation of male depression rates occurs because depression often disguises itself as alcoholism, anti-social behavior or somatic symptoms. Somatization increases the risk of mistaken diagnoses by physicians and delayed recovery from illness or surgery. The authors also present the encouraging information that response to therapeutic interventions is equal for depressed males and females and provide practical information regarding risk of suicide, guidelines for assessing suicide risk, and the extent to which psychotropic drugs can affect sexuality. I would recommend this book highly for anyone facing the problem of male depression in their daily practice." --JUNE B. PIMM, Ph.D., University of Miami School of Medicine and Co-author, Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression

"This is the most comprehensive book to date on this subject. Drs. Cochran and Rabinowitz present an integrative approach to understanding depression in men that is both scholarly and clinically relevant. An essential read for anyone who works with male patients." --SUSAN G. KORNSTEIN, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University