Queer Blues: the lesbian and gay guide to overcoming depression
Kimeran Hardin PhD and Marny Hall PhD, Forward By Betty Berzon PhD. New Harbinger Publications, 2001
Key Elements: A clear and coherent exploration of how and why lesbians and gays experience depression, a well rounded approach to helping gays and lesbians deal with the particulars of depressions from a perspective that supports the diversity the of the gay and lesbian community.
Chapter 1. 'Shades of Blue: What Depression Is and Isn't' there is an overview of depression, the symptoms of major depression, varieties of depression, an summary of the causes of depression, the role of the biological, psychological and environmental causes.
Chapter 2. 'Blue Passages: How Society Contributes to Depression for Lesbians and Gays', looks at the role that culture plays in depression, the passages that we have from one stage of life to another.
Chapter 3. 'Blue Genes; Internal Contributions to Depression' provides diagrams that explain the nervous system, the brain, the nerves and neurons, the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, the hormone connection , genetics, links between the brain chemistry, hormones, and genetics.
Chapter 4. 'Blue Portraits: Queer Stories', there are different types of 'Blues covered in chapter 4, they are, 'The Winter Blues'. 'Survivor Blues'. 'Bipolar Disorder', 'Gender Blues' and 'Postpartum Blues'.
Chapter 5. 'Tips for Main Squeezes: How to Cope With A Depressed Partner', information about the myths you may have heard (about depression), the informal signs of your partner's depression, it also provides information on what to do if your partner is suicidal.
Chapter 6 .'Monitoring The Minotaur: Self - Management and Self-Nurturing', here the relationship between cognition, beliefs and behaviour, it also how to increase your awareness of negative thoughts.
Chapter 7. 'Queer Psychology Therapy: The Talking Cure-How to Choose a Therapist' details are given about psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and other practical issues related to therapy, along with summaries of different theoretical approaches.
Chapter 8. 'Medications and Other Biological Treatments: Queer Psychiatrists Speak Out', sums up the medications for managing depression, Heterocyclic (commonly prescribed antidepressants), Selective Serotonin Reuptake (SSRI), Monoamine Oxidase (MAOIs), other novel and atypical antidepressants, there are also conversations with authorities.
Chapter 9. 'Befriending The Black Dog: Putting It All Together', gives views of the holistic views of the blues, the politics of identity, profiles in courage, and 'leaving the queer blues'.