Regarded as a classic when it was first published in 1984, Depression: From Psychology to Brain State provides historical insight into some of the origins of the evolutionary and biopsychosocial approaches behind compassion focused therapy. It highlights how the many textures of depressed brain states can be understood as a result of interacting with multiple biological psychological social processes. Consequently, to understand and treat depression required insight into the interactions between these processes. Hence, the book covers the controversies over diagnosis, and how different models such as psychodynamic, behavioural, and cognitive therapies conceptualise depression.

The last two integrative chapters address the brain’s evolved defences to threat such as helplessness, attachment loss and search defeat. These chapters also highlight and show how mental states are often discontinuous and state switches can be due to nonlinear processes. This reissue contains a new preface, written by the author, which reflects on more decent developments.

Reviews for first issue

…it is superb! It is certainly one of the most comprehensive and scholar books on depression that I have seen. It should be a major force in shaping the thinking about depression, as well as research, for years to come. Prof Aaron T Beck

…the book reviews a wealth of animal and human research findings especially from ethology, conditioning, and helplessness paradigms. For this alone it will be an important source book for psychologists and psychiatrists whether they are interested in research or clinical work with depression. Gilbert has provided a book which is both challenging and engaging. - Prof Mark Williams