The myth of depression as disease : limitations and alternatives to drug treatment /

Is there a biological foundation to depression? The pharmaceutical industry's direct-to-consumer advertising would have one believe that not only is depression a biological phenomenon, but that the specific medications they are advertising can remedy the disorder. Just take a pill and the sun begins to shine! However, this slim volume by Leventhal (psychology, American Univ.) and Martell (psychology, Univ. of Washington) indicates that the answer may not be so straightforward. In the tradition of Thomas Szasz (The Myth of Mental Illness, rev. ed., 1974), the authors take a very controversial position by questioning the biological basis for depression. They regard the scientific research supporting the biological view as weak. This view, however, is quite profitable for drug companies. After questioning the scientific validity of the biological research and calling into question the motives of the pharmaceutical industry, the authors proclaim an alternative treatment for depression--behavior therapy. This is not surprising, given their training and background. Perhaps most important is the authors' daring to put forward an argument that counters "big pharma" and the biotech industry. They raise questions about the extent of market influence on scientific theory and research. This clearly written volume contains several instructive appendixes. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and up. J. D. Campbell University of Missouri--Columbia