A Mood Apart

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A Mood Apart: Depression, Mania, and Other Afflictions of the Self by Peter G. Whybrow, M.D.

A Mood Apart: Depression, Mania, and Other Afflictions of the Self by Peter G. Whybrow, M.D.Stars: ****

Basic Books (2015)
Psychology/Depression/Mental Illness
408 pages

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Summary: When first published in 1997 this groundbreaking work on the science of mood both redefined the field and—with compassion, understanding, and scientific rigor—made it accessible to those who would most benefit from the latest findings. Now, Peter Whybrow, one of the world’s most distinguished psychiatrists, has updated his definitive account of mood disorders. In A Mood Apart he argues that disorders such as depression constitute afflictions of the self, exploring the human experience of manic depressive illness, and rediscovering the human being behind the diagnosis. Drawing on cutting-edge research and his experience as a clinician, he shows how the science and culture surrounding mood disorders have changed since the first edition. Nearly two decades since its original publication, A Mood Apart remains an essential book for anyone who has been affected by depression.

A Mood Apart

I picked this one up at the library and something about it was familiar so I think I may have read it before, or at least tried to. It’s a hard read but very interesting. It’s not your usual book on mood disorders but goes into the neuroscience behind them and gives case studies and then analyses them.

If you are just looking for more information on Bipolar or Depression because you’ve been newly diagnosed than this is not your book. However if you are quite familiar with Bipolar or Depression and are in a place where you would like to know more about the science behind it, you will find this interesting.

The original book was written in 1997 but I read the updated and revised edition which is new enough to be current.

It’s not a light read as I said, you will need no distractions when you read and it will take you a while to get through the book, even if you read fast as I do. But if you suffer from a mood disorder and are currently stable enough to digest a book of this size and theme, I highly recommend reading it.

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About Kathleen

I've been a nonfiction lover for as long as I can remember. I love children's nonfiction as well and love to share my knowledge and the books I gained them from, with the world. I wish more people would give nonfiction a chance.