Seven years ago, the first edition of HANDBOOK OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS immediately met with critical acclaim. Considered the standard reference work, The American Journal of Psychiatry suggested, ``If the reader plans to buy only one book on affective disorders, this book should be the one.' Since that time, the field has advanced considerably, particularly in relation to the basic sciences. Bringing the reader up to date, this Second Edition has been entirely revised: More than half the chapters have been rewritten by new authors; the others have been thoroughly reworked to reflect the changes in the field; and the volume features entirely new chapters on such topics as neuropsychology and imaging, studies of sleep, seasonal affective disorders, maintenance treatment, interpersonal psychotherapy, and transcultural aspects.Designed for easy reference, this large-format, double-column work is divided into five sections. Covering descriptive aspects of affective disorders, Part I covers the symptomatology and assessment of depression and mania; distinctions between bipolar and unipolar disorders; and the relationship of anxiety disorders to depression. Also discussed are concepts, diagnosis, and classification of affective disorders, as well as their history. Part II, on etiology, first presents contributions that examine how genetics, life events, psychodynamics, and early environment relate to the incidence of affective disorders, and then discusses neurobiological and neuropsychological factors. Utilizing this same broad perspective, Part III explores major biological interventions--including ECT and psychosurgery--and Part IV discusses psychotherapeutic, cognitive, and social approaches to treatment. The final section, focuses on such special issues as transcultural problems, SAD, and suicide. Chapters also examine the relationship of depression to childbirth, childhood and adolescent turmoil, and treatment in primary care and medical settings.Distinctive in its unexcelled coverage of the most common psychiatric disorders, Dr. Paykel's HANDBOOK OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS: SECOND EDITION is a timely and necessary resource for clinicians, researchers, and students in psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and related mental health and medical disciplines.