ABSTRACT

This book brings together cutting-edge expertise from psychoanalysis, psychiatry, neuroscience and social science to shed light on the dark side of chronic depression.

Considering different forms of depression on a continuum, the book develops new diagnostical considerations on depression. It includes detailed case studies from clinical psychoanalytical practice, conceptual considerations and historical analyses to current empirical and neurobiological studies on depression. The book is unique in bridging a gap between Anglo-Saxon/German psychoanalysis and French traditions in relation to clinical treatment techniques and conceptualizations of depression and trauma. Chapters present new research on the social, biographical, genetic and neurobiological determinants of severe depressive disorder and explore how these can be differentiated and expanded in the face of new cultural realities as well of new findings particularly in modern neurosciences.

The book explores new understanding and discussion of treatment options for depression and will be essential reading for researchers and students in the field of depression and mental health research. It will also enrich the conceptual and clinical knowledge of psychoanalysts and psychotherapy researchers and students.

chapter 1|29 pages

Introduction

On the dark side: chronic depression and trauma – signatures of our time? Some societal, conceptual and methodological considerations

chapter 2|9 pages

From acedia to melancholy

Sadness in the presence of God

chapter 3|10 pages

The unpast core of depression

chapter 4|9 pages

The invisible depression

chapter 5|3 pages

The denied object of melancholy

chapter 6|9 pages

The psychoanalysis of a chronically and severely depressed patient

Or “Don't even think of coming close!”

chapter 11|8 pages

Some aspects of early development and depression

The case of Thea, an adolescent

chapter 12|9 pages

Early depressions

Loss of liveliness, withdrawal, psychosomatic issues and risk of developmental delay

chapter 13|12 pages

Pluralism in psychoanalytic research

Conceptual framework of the MODE study

chapter 15|12 pages

Depression in neuropsychoanalysis

Why does depression feel bad?

chapter 17|6 pages

Containing darkness