Gilbert - Depression: the evolution of powerlessness

'Reading this book changed my life as a researcher, guiding me into entirely new lines of inquiry. It provides an extraordinarily wide-ranging and erudite review of psychosocial theories and research about depression, but its greatest contribution is the elaboration of an evolutionarily-informed analysis of depression, especially how losses of rank and status and of social connection with others can activate evolved mechanisms that regulate affect and behavior and thereby trigger the syndrome of depression. Even 25 years later the book contains innumerable rich veins of novel ideas and hypotheses waiting to be mined by researchers and clinicians interested in depression.'

Professor David Zuroff, Department of Psychology, McGill University

Depression: The evolution of powerlessness offers a fresh perspective on research, theory and conceptualisations of the depressive disorders, derived from evolution theory and arguing for the adoption of the biopsychosocial model.

The book is split into three parts. covers the major theories of depression; theories are compared and contrasted, highlighting controversies, weaknesses and strengths, and where cross fertilisation of ideas may be beneficial. The final chapter outlines why simple theories of aetiology are inadequate and explores the role of culture and social relationships as elicitors of many forms of depression.

This Classic Edition, with a new introduction from the author, brings Paul Gilbert's early work to a new audience, and will be of interest to clinicians, researchers and historians in the field of psychology.

Paul Gilbert, OBE, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and has been actively involved in research and treating people with shame-based and mood disorders for over 30 years. He is a past President of the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy and a fellow of the British Psychological Society. He was awarded the OBE for contributions to mental health in 2011.

Routledge Mental Health Classic Edition

The Routledge Mental Health Classic Edition series celebrates Routledges commitment to excellence within the field of mental health. These books are recognized as timeless classics covering a range of important issues, and continue to be recommended as key reading for professionals and students in the area. With a new introduction that explores what has changed since the books were first published, and why these books are as relevant now as ever, the series presents key ideas to a new generation.

The Plural Psyche (Classic Edition)
Personality, morality and the father
Andrew Samuels

Evolutionary Psychiatry (Classic Edition)
A new beginning, second edition
Anthony Stevens and John Price

The Wounded Healer (Classic Edition)
Countertransference from a Jungian perspective
David Sedgwick

Four Approaches to Counselling and Psychotherapy (Classic Edition)
Windy Dryden and Jill Mytton

The Therapeutic Use of Self (Classic Edition)
Counselling practice, research and supervision
Val Wosket

Depression (Classic Edition)
The evolution of powerlessness
Paul Gilbert

Human Nature and Suffering (Classic Edition)
Paul Gilbert

The evolution of powerlessness

Classic Edition

Paul Gilbert

Classic Edition published 2017
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2017 Paul Gilbert

The right of Paul Gilbert to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

First edition published 1992 by Routledge

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gilbert, Paul, 1951 June 20 author.

Title: Depression: the evolution of powerlessness / Paul Gilbert.

Description: Classic edition. | Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016003344 | ISBN 9781138953154 (hbk) | ISBN 9781138953161 (pbk) | ISBN 9781315564319 (ebk)

Subjects: LCSH: Depression, Mental. | Depression, MentalSocial aspects. | Control (Psychology) | Power (Social sciences)

Classification: LCC RC537 .G533 2017 | DDC 616.85/27dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016003344

ISBN: 978-1-138-95315-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-95316-1 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-56431-9 (ebk)

Typeset in Times New Roman
by Apex CoVantage, LLC

With love and affection to Jean, Hannah
and James
May your archetypes serve you well

The rain to the wind said,
you push and Ill pelt.
They so smote the garden bed
that the flowers actually knelt,
and lay lodged though not dead.
I know how they felt.

Robert Frost