Depression und Dysthymia

Depressions are now among the most common reasons for sick leave and are the leading cause of early retirement. Traditional medical explanations and treatment models seem to make no difference. Psychiatrist Gerhard Dieter Ruf advocates for an understanding that considers depression and chronic mood disorders not only from a biological perspective but also from social aspects. The illness then does not appear as an unavoidable fate but can gain meaning as an expression of incongruent life circumstances. Systemic therapy aims to offer such alternative perspectives, test their validity, and make them fruitful for clients. This book clarifies the psychological and social patterns in depression and dysthymia and presents the corresponding systemic therapy methods. Case studies illustrate outpatient practice.