The courage to be by Paul Tillich is explored with a special emphasis on its dialectical ontology and the account of neurotic character and existential courage informed by it. Then, in turn, two more contemporary and more specifically clinical and secular approaches: dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) of Linehan and radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RO-DBT) of Lynch are analyzed in terms of the dialectical framework they employ to explain both the issues pertinent to personality psychopathology and the remedies required to alleviate them. As soon as the dialectical character of these approaches is elucidated, the ideas of radical acceptance (Linehan) and radical openness (Lynch) are brought to the fore and compared in light of different spiritual perspectives lying behind them: Zen Buddhism and contemplative Christianity for the former and Malâmati Sufism for the latter. Finally, some concluding remarks are made to emphasize the parallel conceptual structures existing in Tillich, Linehan, and Lynch and to make clinical, including nosological, sense of non-trivial differences between DBT and RO-DBT.

This chapter describes pseudoscience and questionable ideas related to major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. The chapter opens by discussing controversies such as how to best consider grief as it relates to major depressive disorder. Dubious treatments include dietary supplements, the ketogenic diet, massage therapy, and apispuncture (i.e., the application of bee stings). The chapter closes by reviewing research-supported approaches.