Against Depression

By: Peter D. Kramer

Narrated by: Peter D. Kramer

In his landmark bestseller Listening to Prozac, Peter Kramer revolutionized the way we think about antidepressants and the culture in which they are so widely used. Now Kramer offers a frank and unflinching look at the condition those medications treat: depression. Definitively refuting our notions of "heroic melancholy," he walks readers through groundbreaking new research—studies that confirm depression's status as a devastating disease and suggest pathways toward resilience. Thought-provoking and enlightening, Against Depression provides a bold revision of our understanding of mood disorder and promises hope to the millions who suffer from it.©2005 Peter Kramer; (P)2005 Penguin Audio

Technical and Repetitive

I found many of the authors points to be interesting and found his descriptions to be very relevant to my own experiences with depression as a sufferer and watching my family experience it. He is very passionate about his views on depression which evoked some interesting discussions between me and my spouse.

Unfortunately he repeats his views innumerable times! Over and over beating the same ideas into the ground! He argues and re-argues points! By the final section of the book where he describes the history of melancholy in literature I was simply impatient for the book to be over. I also got very tired of his mentioning all the other books he has written.

He uses a variety of technical language, which, as a medical student, I feel pretty comfortable with. However, I am not sure that arguments about hippocampal size and neurotransmitters will appeal to everyone. I have also had a number of lectures on pharmacology that make it clear to me that he over-dramatizes the importance of many effects and under-appreciates others. For example, he talks about the drug interferon alfa as being difficult for patients to stay on- the number one reason being depression. The PharmD teaching my lecture only mentioned that side effect in passing.

Overall, it was an interesting book, but I don't see myself listening to it again anytime soon and I advise caution to listeners who are bored by mentions of medical studies or uncomfortable with medical rationale.

If you do know medical terminology

I found this book incredibly interesting and informative. The author both gives examples and describes the concepts and research behind depression. His premise that depression is seen differently from other physical illnesses and even mental illnesses, likely because of "charm", is really fresh and interesting. However, you come away with the idea that if your amygdala is shrunken, you are sunk. One of the best reads I've had thus far.

Helped me to understand

This book helps to destigmatize the feelings of guilt and responsibility from having clinical depression and more importantly from seeking treatment.

Helpful, direct and clear

Would you consider the audio edition of Against Depression to be better than the print version?

I wouldn't be able to judge. I was very happy with the audio edition. I have not seen the print one, although I have read another book, Listening to Prozac, in print form by the author. These are two separate genres and I do not like to compare them.

What did you like best about this story?

It wasn't a story, as it is a non-fiction book about depression.

Have you listened to any of Peter D. Kramer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Any additional comments?

This review is not applicable for a non-fiction book. I think you should review how you ask questions for a non-fiction listen.

Need to be fluent in medical terminology

Not only do you have to be fluent in medical terminology, but you also want to be interested in hearing detailed reports filled with medical terminology about every part of the brain, and then some. If you're not interested, listening can get you depressed. And I'm against that.