Review of Depression and Aging: Causes, Care, and Consequences

Reviews the book, Depression and Aging: Causes, Care, and Consequences edited by Lawrence D. Breslau and Marie R. Haug (1983). This volume is divided into five sections, four substantive sections and a concluding overview section on the elements of an integrative model of depression in the aged. The first section, "Perspectives on Diagnosis," contains two readable and informative chapters, one on differential diagnostic criteria for depression in the elderly that will be useful to clinical researchers and practitioners. The section titled "Exploration of Causal Factors" is the weakest and is only redeemed by the fine contribution describing the social context of depression in the elderly. Similar lack of focus and imbalance in treatment is found in the section titled "Directions for Care." The best contribution to the volume is found in the final section, "Social and Individual Consequences." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)