Takes a unique and highly informative approach to key issues surrounding depressive disorders. The six systematic reviews, written by outstanding authors, focus on topics such as the choice and duration of drug treatment and the cost of depressive disorders. They are accompanied by commentaries giving advice from clinicians of different orientations and countries. This volume: * Gives the best available evicence to enable well-informed clinical decision-making * Covers developments in diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, economic evaluation and quality improvement * Summarises the 'evidence' and the 'experience' providing an unbiased and reliable reference point * Comprehensively itemises and evaluates the relevant points It provides insights that will prove invaluable to psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, managers and policy makers.About the Author: Mario Maj is Professor of Psychiatry at the Primo Policlinico Universitario in Naples, Italy. Maj has been President of the Italian Psychiatric Association; President of the Italian Society of Biological Psychiatry; Secretary-General of the Association of European Psychiatrists; Editor of "European Psychiatry" and World Psychiatry. He became President of the Association of European Psychiatrists in January 2002 and takes on the Presidency of the World Psychiatric Association in September 2008. Norman Sartorius is a psychiatrist and professor. He previously served as a director of the World Health Organization's Division of Mental Health. He has also been a former president of the World Psychiatric Association and of the European Psychiatric Association.