Just finished reading the book Lifting Depression, by Kelly Lambert, Ph.D., and it was great!

The book is an overview of depression from the perspective of what Dr. Lambert calls the “effort-driven rewards circuit.” This circuit (comprised of the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and prefrontal cortex) has been shown to be highly active in animals engaged in activities with specific rewards, and has been shown to be under-active in people suffering from depression.

Dr. Lambert provides a wonderful overview of the current research in depression, along with some helpful suggestions for people suffering from depression. And it might surprise you to find, that medication is not at the top of her list.

In fact, Dr. Lambert starts the book by describing the positive affect common cleaning chores had on her own battle with depression. She shows many ways how exercise, and particularly exercise demanding fine motor and tactile skills with the hands, can activate the rewards-driven circuit.

Among the most interesting notes I have from this book are:

• Exercise in general can battle depression
• Fine-motor skills, especially with the hands, aimed at specific outcomes, can be even more effective
• Our current society values making the most money in the least time, which sets up a “work less=get more” equation in people’s heads, which is not only incorrect, but is slowly killing us (through inactivity…or depression)
• Getting people actively involved in creating the solutions to their problems activates the circuit. For more about this, see Christopher Martell’s site, with information on his Behavioral Activation Therapy.
• Support and active interest in one another by parents and family, significant others, and friends, and our community, increases the rewards we experience when we achieve our goals.

The only flaw I have with the book is that it’s a little too narrow in its focus on the circuit. In fact, I often have trouble with science for this reason. Dr. Lambert includes two wonderful quotes in her book that sum this idea up well:

How necessary health is to our business and happiness, and how necessary a strong constitution, able to endure hardships and fatigue, is to one that will make any figure be anything considerable in the world, is too obvious to need any proof.

Attributed to a letter written by John Locke, pg. 148 in the book.

and the next…

if you spent the rest of your career researching just one component of a larger complex circuit, you wouldn’t accomplish very much…Brain areas are located in proximity for a reason. It’s not a random organization. You shouldn’t waste your time researching such a limited area.

From a conversation between Dr. Lambert and Dr. Paul MacLean, pp. 48-49 of the book

Regardless, the book is informative and well-written! I highly recommend it.