Exploring depression

This free advanced level course, Exploring depression, serves as an introduction to masters level study in neurosciences and mental health. Focusing on depression, you will consider key issues concerning diagnosis, causes and interventions. You will also begin to explore theoretical models, biological and psychological explanations, and look at a range of pharmacological and psychological therapies for depression.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 The experience of depression
• 1 The experience of depression
• 1.1 Understanding depression − key issues
• 2 Exploring depression
• 2 Exploring depression
• 2.1 Depression can affect people in different ways
• 2.2 The diagnosis of depression
• Medicalising grief?
• 2.3 Consolidating your understanding of depression
• 3 Theoretical models and psychological explanations of depression
• 3 Theoretical models and psychological explanations of depression
• 3.1 Behaviourist theory and operant conditioning
• 3.2 Psychodynamic theories
• 3.3 Cognitive models
• 3.4 Neurotic depression
• 3.5 Models of rumination
• 4 Biological explanations for depression
• 4 Biological explanations for depression
• 5 Treatments for depression
• 5 Treatments for depression
• 5.1 Pharmacological and psychological therapies
• 5.2 Treatment-resistant depression and somatic treatments
• Conclusion
• References
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements