The Depression Code: Deciphering the Purposes of Neurotic Depression

by Roger Di Pietro

The Depression Code: Deciphering the Purposes of Neurotic Depression focuses on one specific depressive diagnosis: Dysthymic Disorder. Its symptoms can include fatigue, persistent sadness, marked increases or decreases in appetite, an inability to sleep (or remain asleep), oversleeping, reduced ability to concentrate, indecisiveness, and despondency. These symptoms must be present for at least two years and cause significant distress and/or impair functioning in one or more areas of life.

Talk therapy as well as pharmacological interventions may address symptoms by searching for and treating the perceived cause. Indeed, depression is often comprehended as something that happens to individuals. However, this text poses an intriguing question: Could depressive symptoms also be a coping mechanism and means of achieving future goals, rather than merely the aftereffect of some bio-chemical, genetic, psychological, or social cause?

This concept somewhat parallels how painful and potentially embarrassing physical symptoms (e.g., fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, infection responses) can ultimately protect the body. Rather than being a self-help book or treatment manual, this text provides an in-depth, graduate-level discussion that's accessible to advanced readers with an interest in psychology. It emphasizes individual choice, social functioning, and psychological underpinnings in comprehending symptom development and persistence. It excitedly explores the various ways in which symptoms can be employed to safeguard self-esteem, acceptance, status, and lifestyle.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Science, Self Help

332 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2010

About the author

Dr. Roger Di Pietro, Psy.D. is clinical psychologist in private practice who has authored Early Recollections: Interpretative Method and Application (with Dr. Harold H. Mosak), The Depression Code: Deciphering the Purposes of Neurotic Depression, The Anxiety Code: Deciphering the Purposes of Neurotic Anxiety, the Decoding Persistent Depression book series, and Anger: Psychological Reasons Why It Rises and How to Reduce it.

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book, so did my best to read it. However, I wasn't really able to make my way through it as well as I would have liked.
I'm not sure if it's because it reads as a text book or thesis for a university course, or if it's my own depression, I think both.
It was very interesting, but I must admit, my depression made me defensive and I can't give a true review due to that.

[Kellie Harclerode]

I won it, I won it, I won it! :) Awaiting the arrival of this book to begin reading - ASAP!