The Inflamed Mind: A radical new approach to depression
£6.60£9.50 (-31%)
In this game-changing book, University of Cambridge Professor Edward Bullmore reveals the breakthrough new science on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain. He explains how and why we now know that mental disorders can have their root cause in the immune system, and outlines a future revolution in which treatments could be specifically targeted to break the vicious cycle of stress, inflammation and depression.
The Inflamed Mind goes far beyond the clinic and the lab, representing a whole new way of looking at how mind, brain and body all work together in a sometimes misguided effort to help us survive in a hostile world. It offers insights into the story of Western medicine, how we have got it wrong as well as right in the past, and how we could start getting to grips with depression and other mental disorders much more effectively in the future.
‘Suddenly an expert who wants to stop and question everything we thought we knew… This is a lesson in the workings of the brain far too important to ignore.’ – Jeremy Vine, BBC
‘Professor Bullmore explores how the current division between Psychiatry and the rest of medicine has developed and how we might change that. He puts forward a fascinating theory that attributes depression to inflammation rather than serotonin imbalance as has traditionally been thought. Whatever the truth, this book is a stimulating and interesting read.’ – Wendy Burn, President Royal College of Psychiatrists
‘A great read, this thought provoking book presents inflammation as the major driver of depression. A real page turner that raises important questions for us all, including, how we should practise medicine going forwards and can we restart Research and Development using this paradigm? Highly recommended. – Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England
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Additional information
| Publisher | Short Books Ltd (3 Jan. 2019) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 256 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1780723725 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1780723723 |
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 2.4 x 19.6 cm |
by Avid Reader
If you suffer from an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome or lupus, it’s not surprising that you might feel a bit down, is it? It’s probably because you don’t feel great physically, or that you are worrying about your condition and how it affects your life, right? Well, maybe, but not necessarily. In ‘The Inflamed Mind’, Edward Bullmore challenges the received wisdom of mind-body dualism and builds a strong case for inflammation being the root cause of depression. Looking at how the body’s immune system can trigger changes in the brain shows that mental health and physical health are one and the same thing, turning old medical assumptions on their head and opening up possibilities for the development of new treatments.
Bullmore has a lucid style which makes this a very readable book, brimming with fascinating facts and peppered with wit and wry observations. He treats the reader with respect, neither assuming prior medical knowledge, nor oversimplifying the science. Medical professionals and laypersons alike will gain valuable insights from his work. Quite simply, this is an important book; one that needs to be widely read by those who suffer from depression, and those who seek to diagnose and treat it.
by Sathish
The book starts promising and chapter two on our immune system is phenomenal and lays great foundation. However, after the initial few chapters, the author keeps repeating same things again and again and again (and again). His view is – there are compelling reasons to believe in body & mind connection managed by our immune system but he regrets lack of scientific research and evidences ….period. Rest of the book are just page fillers.
by CateK
This is a very interesting theory that contributes a great deal to the ongoing research into depression and that I hope will lead to better treatment in the future for the many millions who have this problem. In some ways this book is a call-to-arms to researchers to take up the challenge and further the research but there’s also enough in here for a layperson interested in the topic to find it useful. I was shocked to find out how little mainstream research has been done into new treatments for depression since the discovery of SSRIs in the 1990s. I’m particularly interested in the topic of psycholytic therapy but depression and other mental health issues are complex, can involve multiple bodily systems and the more understanding we have of the physiology involved the better.
by jesusfreak
As a counsellor I am always interested to see what the world of science is saying about depression, anxiety etc so that I can pass it on to clients. This book makes a lot of sense to me in some respects. I don’t agree with the assumptions made about evolution, however tentatively made, as a Christian I think we get mentally or physically sick as a result of it being a fallen world and that the answer to his question about why depression has been ‘selected’ as a good thing (even if we don’t know why) will be flawed if based on ‘survival of the fittest’ presuppositions. It’s interesting to note that all the things we are warned against, like divorce or having babies with close relatives are the very things that cause us to become mentally ill.
by Psychologist and Mum
This book is incredibly well-written, engaging and covers some really complex science in a very accessible way. I found some of the background history to psychiatry and our understanding and treatment of depression fascinating and was surprised that (as a psychologist) much of this was new to me! I am a strong believer in the connection between the body and the mind, so I did not need to be won over to the ideas in this book but I did have my views more firmly cemented and learnt lots of really interesting information about the specific mechanisms by which inflammation and depression may be inextricably linked.
Another point I found incredibly interesting was the author’s revelations about the pharmaceutical industry and how investment in psychiatric drugs has experienced huge cuts. I must admit I was hoping for some more optimistic ways in which this knowledge can be used to help people with depression but I guess the science is in its relative infancy and we are just not there yet.
A most thought provoking and fascinating read!
by carl D Cambridge
My only regret was not to read the book earlier!
The sense that a divide in the healthcare community and mutually exclusive training held back treatment of the whole person is very prevalent, and a powerful message; it also echoes alot of other areas of human endeavour being held back and not making progress for the greater good!
by Mrs Armtrough
Well-written with authority and humour, the author describes his training as a medic which was dominated by the Cartesian split between mind and body and how this affects the treatment of both physical and mental illness. His very convincing proposal is that the two are closely intertwined and that inflammation throughout the body and the brain could be a primary source and cause of depression. It sounds like research is still in its infancy and treatment for depression continues to be hit and miss but that hope for a more nuanced and whole-body approach is on the horizon. A worthwhile read – looking forward to a follow up with more news over the next few years.