Includes bibliographical references (pages 113-119) and index.

Introduction -- Clinical features [symptoms of depression, variability of symptoms, suicidal behavior, severity, hidden depressions, symptoms of mania] -- Classification of depression: major syndromes [manic-depressive illness, reactive depression, involutional melancholia] -- Classification of depression: development and application [historical development, contemporary proposals] -- Psychological theories [affective psychological theories, systematic studies of psychodynamic theories, cognitive psychological theories, overall evaluation] -- Social and cultural studies [Declining incidence of manic-depressive illness, Hutterites, African societies, Afro-Americans].

Biochemical studies [adrenocortical hormone metabolism, electrolyte metabolism, biogenic amine metabolism, other biochemical changes] -- Psychophysiology [electroencephalographic studies (EEG), electromyographic studies (EMG), autonomic nervous system functioning in depression] -- Genetics [twin studies, incidence of affective disorders in children of two psychotic parents, family studies] -- Psychological texting and rating scales [general psychological tests, depression rating scales] -- Treatment of depression [hospitalization, psychotherapy, antidepressant drugs, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT].

Also issued online.