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Severe Depression: A Patient's Thoughts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

E. George Gray*
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridge way, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA

Summary

A research neuroscientist in his fifties, who has recovered from endogenous depression after several years, describes the experience and makes some comments on treatment and management. He found electroconvulsive therapy, mianserin, lithium carbonate and diazepam acceptable. He considers that occupational therapy and conventional psychotherapy were counter-therapeutic. He stresses how physically ill he felt when depressed, and compares this with prolonged influenza. He hypothesises that the underlying psychological disorder in endogenous depression is the learned extinction of optimistic thoughts, and suggests that any psychotherapy used should be aimed at restoring these.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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References

Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J. & Shaw, B. S. (1979) Cognitive Theory of Depression. Chichester: John Wiley.Google Scholar
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