Reviews and Notes: Psychosocial Medicine: How to Heal Depression

How to Heal Depression

Harold H. Bloomfield and Peter McWilliams. 240 pages. Los Angeles: Prelude Press; 1994. $14.95.

A psychiatrist and one of his patients (a photographer, personal computer expert, writer on love and then, alas, writer on lost love) have collaborated to produce this self-help book. Abundantly interspersed with memorable quotes on depression ("Suffering isn't ennobling, recovery is"-Christiaan N. Barnard; "I contemplated suicide. My main concern was that I would not make the New York Times obituary page"-Art Buchwald; "I am in that temper that if I were under water I would scarcely kick to come to the top"-Keats). Three sections, 92 brief chapters. Reading the book couldn't hurt, especially if readers follow the authors' disclaimer: "Nothing in this book is intended to constitute medical advice, treatment or specific prescription. Medical diagnosis can only occur between an individual patient and his or her physician"