Can traumatic life events cause depression? Studies generally point to a connection between adverse life events and depression. However, establishing a causal rather than associative connection, the key concern of this book, is more problematic. What neurobiological changes may be induced by stress and depression, and to what extent do these changes correspond? The authors structure their examination around three major themes: the pathophysiological role of stress in depression; whether or not a subtype of depression exists that is particularly stress-inducible; and, finally, how best to diagnose and treat depression in relation to its biological underpinnings.

Review of the hardback:'In shedding light on the causal and temporal relationships between stress and depression the authors also show their extensive knowledge. Their thought provoking presentation of the history of psychiatric classification is a refreshingly welcome overview, punctuated with scepticism regarding the 'nosologomania in psychiatry'. The detailed information is systematically presented; and each chapter builds towards (preliminary) conclusions, making this complex topic relatively easy to understand … The combined decades of experience in biological psychiatric research give the authors a clear view of this problem and the necessary experience to explain the solution.'

Source: British Medical Journal

Review of the hardback:'… is a worthwhile addition to the library of clinicians interested in a summary and synthesis of the latest neurobiological research linking stress, nuerochemical dysfunction, and psychopathology … it is a clear analysis of the data linking stress, brain function, and psychiatric symptoms and describing how the rapidly emerging synthesis of this information will redefine psychopathology and drive new treatment strategies.'

Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

Review of the hardback:'… a book that offers a fresh perspective for both researchers and clinicians on how to more precisely diagnose, medicate, and treat psychiatric patients … The book is well referenced and cross-references numerous lines of research that were previously reported separately. It provides food for thought for both researchers and clinicians.'

Source: PsycCRITIQUES

Review of the hardback:'… a clear assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each aspect of the prevailing model.'

Source: Journal of Psychological Medicine

Review of the hardback:'… this is a valuable book for clinicians, researchers, and students interested in the neurobiological underpinnings of stress, negative life events, and depression. The writing style is engaging, and the authors present a point of view that challenges standard practice of psychiatric diagnosis and research.'

Source: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

Review of the hardback:'This is a well-referenced and well-written text offering an excellent introduction to the stress and depression conundrum for psychologists and psychiatrists alike.'

Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Review of the hardback:'This monograph is undoubtedly a worthy attempt to provide a biological basis to the impact of stress in the cause of depression … provides convincing evidence in support of the hypothesis … I am certain that this volume has an important place in the contempory literature that explains the impact of stress in the aetiology of depression … well written and each chapter contains an extensive list of up-to-date references.'

Source: Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy

Review of the hardback:'What a book! To what should it be compared? It doesn't actually read like a novel, but it held my interest in much the same way a well-written novel would. I was continually tempted to look ahead to see where the authors were going. The book builds a sense of fascination from chapter to chapter.'

Source: American Journal of Psychiatry