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The prevention of anxiety and depression: Theory, research, and practice Edited by David J.A. Dozois and Keith S. Dobson Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2004. Pp 344, Hardback £24.66, ISBN 1-59147-079-X
This accessible, well-organised and comprehensive volume represents a convincing argument for redoubling our efforts towards prevention of anxiety and depression, and contains many conceptual clarifications and practical recommendations to facilitate progress. Dozois and Dobson compile evidence that conceptualization of vulnerability is evolving, knowledge of risk and protective factors is extensive and existing treatment models may be adopted for the purposes of prevention.
The editors introduce the classic model of prevention (primary, secondary and tertiary), and the later distinction between selected (at risk groups) and indicated (people showing early signs or vulnerability markers) prevention. They offer the additional term 'reindicated' (showing early signs of relapse or recurrence). Clark, in Chapter 4, discusses some of the conceptual problems with applying standard medical prevention models to anxiety and depression, the symptoms of which are apparently continuously distributed, frequently co-occur across disorders and have high base rates. For example, what are we to call an intervention to prevent future anxiety and depression, aimed at someone who used to show...