Allan Leventhal - The myth of depression as disease: limitations and alternatives to drug treatment

Leventhal, Allan M

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LIMITATIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG TREATMENT

Allan M. Leventhal and Christopher R. Martell

Foreword by Marsha Linehan

The Myth of

Depression as

Allan M. Leventhal and Christopher R. Martell Foreword by Marsha Linehan

Depression is commonly thought ot as a biological disorder best treated with antidepressant medications. Pharmaceutical companies and many experts promote this view as established m scientific fact. Here, Leventhal and Martell argue that there is scant actual scientific evidence for this view, and-the issue is open to considerable question.They maintain that there is very little knownthey call the evidence woefully weakregarding the role of biology in depression. Marketing by drug producers has not only led the public to accept dubious claims and over-value antidepressants, but it has led medical doctors to prescribe them excessively. Leventhal and Martell argue that the effectiveness of psychological therapy has strong scientific support in the treatment of anxiety and depression, and it is safer and results in less frequent relapse.

Readers will find this book helpful in understanding the controversy surrounding the widespread prescription and use of antidepressants. It traces the history and science behind the pharmaceutical treatment of depression, and it presents, in accessible language, information that will empower readers to make the best choices possible regarding the treatment ot their own or their loved ones feelings of depression and anxiety.The audience for this book includes those who are depressed and considering professional help, those concerned about health care and the services offered in the mental

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KishwauKee College Library 21193 Malta Koad Malta, IL 60150-9699

The Myth of Depression as Disease

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Allan M. Leventhal and Christopher R. Martell Foreword by Marsha Finehan

Contemporary Psychology Chris E. Stout, Series Editor

Westport, Connecticut London

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Leventhal, Allan M.

The myth of depression as disease : limitations and alternatives to drug treatment / Allan M. Leventhal and Christopher R. Mkrtell; foreword by Marsha Linehan.

p. cm. (Contemporary psychology, ISSN 1546-668X)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-275-98976-3 (hardcover)

1. Depression, MentalTreatmentEvaluation. 2. Depression,

MentalChemotherapyEvaluation. 3. AntidepressantsEffectiveness.

4. Cognitive therapy. I. Martell, Christopher R. II. Title. III. Series: Contemporary psychology (Praeger Publishers)

RC537.L477 2006

362.25dc22 2005025630

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.

Copyright 2006 by Allan M. Leventhal and Christopher R. Martell

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005025630 ISBN: 0-275-98976-3 ISSN: 1546-668X

First published in 2006

Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com

Printed in the United States of America

The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984).

10 98765432 1

Contents

Series Foreword vn

Foreword by Marsha Finehan 1X

Preface

CHAPTER 1 Societal Views of Mental Disorder 1

chapter 2 Welcome to the Brave New World 2 /

chapter 3 The Context of Depression and Anxiety 5 /

chapter 4 Psychology as a Science 73

chapter 5 Behavior Therapy 93

chapter 6 Behavioral Analysis, Behavior Therapy, and

Outcome Research 113

chapter 7 Summary and Conclusions 135

Appendix A: Questions to Ask before Accepting a

Prescription for Antidepressant Medication 141

Appendix B: How to Find a Behavioral or

Cognitive-behavioral Therapist 144

Appendix C: Questions to Ask a Potential Behavioral Therapist 147

Appendix D: Suggestions for Further Reading 149

References , 153

Index 163

About the Series Editor and Advisory Board 173

About the Authors 177

\

Series Foreword

As Series Editor of Contemporary Psychology for Praeger, I am in the very fortunate position of being able to read a number of fantastic book concepts and manuscripts. Of course, I also read some proposals or manuscripts not quite ready for publication or inappropriate for this series. At first blush, just reading the title, I thought this book was going to be in the latter category. However, reading the text, I came to understand this is not a diatribe providing a Manichaean view of psychology versus biology, or therapy versus pills. This is a book that takes sound shots at some sacrosanct viewpoints and a couple of sacred cows. It is a volume that provides readers with a proverbial informed consent as to differential therapeutics and treatment selection factors. It serves as an informational empowerment tool for consumers to get clear answers for common questionsand thus be in a much better position of choice. This is good.