Charting the Depths

Reflections on the Science of Depression

Jonathan Rottenberg is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida, where he directs the Mood and Emotion Laboratory. See full bio

November 11, 2009

The Tragic Consequences of Depression Stigma

Yesterday, Robert Enke, 32, and a goalkeeper on Germany's national soccer team, committed suicide by stepping in front of a train in Hanover, Germany. Read More

November 1, 2009

The continuing stigma of depression

Part of the mission of patient advocacy groups is to reduce the stigma associated with depression. This is noble and important work because historically people who have suffered from depression have tended to suffer in silence and/or not sought treatment because of the shame associated with admitting depression. Read More

October 26, 2009

Is Depression a Disease? -- Part III

Mainstream approaches to depression view it as resulting from a disease or defect (the defect can be biological or psychological). In my last post, I debunked several arguments advanced in favor of the disease model. In this post, I consider some of the challenges of creating a better explanation of why people become depressed. Read More

October 17, 2009

Is Depression a Disease? -- Part II

The disease (or defect) model of depression represents a mainstream view of this condition. In my last post, I started the series by asking whether this approach should go unchallenged. Read More

October 12, 2009

Is Depression a Disease? -- Part I

The symptoms of depression --despondency, lethargy, nightly insomnia, an inability to concentrate--are bewildering. The person with depression wonders, "What is wrong with me?...Why do I feel this way?" and if the symptoms persist, he or she will pose these questions to a doctor or therapist. Read More

October 8, 2009

The Mediterranean Diet and Depression

A few days ago a study appeared in the Archives of General Psychiatry linking strong adherence to the Mediterreanean Diet to a lower incidence of depression in a sample of 10,000 young adults in Spain and, boy, did the media go crazy!

At last count there are 118 news stories touting this report. Read More

Books by Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D.

Emotion and Psychopathology: Bridging Affective and Clinical Science

Depression Basics

Some 15 million Americans struggle with depression—an illness that comes in many forms—from major depression and seasonal affective disorder, to dysthymia and bipolar disorder.

Go to the Depression Basics page for more on Depression including:

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Books by Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D.

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