Book Review
Geriatric Psychiatry
Living Longer Depression Free. Mark D Miller, MD, Charles F Reynolds III, MD. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 2002. 177 p. US$17.95.
Reviewer
rating*: Excellent
Review by: Matt Robillard, MD, FRCPC
North York, Ontario
This book is a family guide to recognizing, treating, and preventing depression in later life, and it clearly fulfills this purpose. Further, it is an excellent guide for anyone who cares for the elderly; namely, professionals who are trained in therapeutic recreation, psychology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, and medicine. In this book, 2 of the pioneers in the diagnosis and treatment of depression in older individuals—Dr Miller and Dr Reynolds, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine—present the most recent information about the state of our knowledge in this important consideration. This book is thorough, carefully written, responsible, and useful. It is easy to read and to understand, without being simplistic. In addition, the book is attractive and free from production errors. The cover is beautiful and has vibrant faces and images of older adults from many cultures.
This comprehensive up-to-date guide begins with a discussion on the different types of depression, their causes, and their symptoms. The authors then describe how doctors evaluate depression; how they present the treatment options available to patients today, including psychotherapy, medication, and alternative treatments; and how they offer strategies for achieving long-term mental health. What impressed me was the section on bipolar illness, for which I have seen limited appropriate reading material for older adults. The authors included many interesting facts and thoughts on how to deal with the stress of the September 11, 2001, aftermath. In addition, they included many useful lists on important topics that we are sometimes called upon to talk about in public forums (such as 20 tips for good grieving; 10 tips for better sleep hygiene; and 10 practical strategies for patients, families, and caregivers in living with depression or living depression free for the long term). The sections on complementary or alternative treatments were interesting and helpful, and these will certainly be useful, because some of us see issues related to this topic in our daily clinical work.
The book includes a good section about the various types of professionals who provide care for the elderly. In fact, people often ask me how psychologists and psychiatrists differ. The book states,
Psychologists do not have medical degrees, and therefore they consult with medical doctors or psychiatrists to assess the need for medications or to explore any mental changes that could be caused by medical disease.
The mention of a sense of cooperation and collaboration among the many health disciplines in various parts of the world impressed me. The sections on medication, electroconvulsive treatment, and psychotherapy were excellent. Likewise, I am pleased that the authors mentioned electroconvulsive treatment—a topic that is often overlooked. Its description was easy to read and to understand. This book would be ideal reading for any patient or family member who is considering this important treatment modality. I am hard-pressed to think of anything that I would like to see different in this book. Perhaps, the authors could have mentioned some ethnocultural issues (that is, special considerations for understanding the many different cultures we see in our work).
I rate this book as being excellent, and the price seems quite reasonable and affordable for most people.
*Reviewer
Rating Scale/ Échelle d’évaluation du réviseur
Excellent / Excellent
Very Good / Très bon
Good / Bon
Fair / Passable
Not recommended / Pas recommandé
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