Depression Is Contagious - How the Most Common Mood Disorder Is Spreading Around the World and How to Stop It

Jul 31, 2026

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Depression Is Contagious explores how the most common mood disorder can spread through social relationships and everyday interaction across the world. Drawing on clinical work, it explains the social foundations of depression, how distorted expectations and overly deep thinking shape outcomes, and how self-deception reinforces unhelpful beliefs. The book also teaches practical skills to lighten up, test convictions, set personal boundaries, support healthy relationships, and reduce a child’s risk of “depression inheritance.”

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages100

Reading Time4 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword by Dr. Erving Polster

Introduction

1. Depression Doesn’t Arise in a Social Vacuum: The Social Foundation of Depression

2. Other People Are NOT Just Like You: Frames of Reference, Flexibility, and Acceptance

3. Expectations and Relationship Satisfaction: Learn to Assess Others Realistically

4. Thinking Too Much and Too Deeply: Learn to Take Action

5. Don’t Bring Others Down with You: Learn to “Lighten Up”

6. Self-Deception and Seeking the Truth: Learn to Test Your Beliefs

7. Drawing the Lines: Protect Your Personal Boundaries

8. Marriage Can Save Your Life: How to Keep Yours Healthy

9. Hand-Me-Down Blues: Learn to Reduce Your Child’s “Depression Inheritance”

10. Afterword

Notes

Appendix A: Exercises to Pause and Reflect and Learn by Doing

Appendix B: Self-Help Materials

Appendix C: Websites of Note

Acknowledgments

Index

[OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Also by Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. BOOKS Hypnosis and Treating Depression: Applications in Clinical Practice (Editor) Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis (3rd edition) Treating Depression with Hypnosis: Integrating Cognitive-Behavioral and Strategic Approaches Keys to Understanding Depression Hand-Me-Down Blues: How to Stop Depression from Spreading in Families Breaking the Patterns of Depression Essentials of Hypnosis Suggestions of Abuse: True and False Memories of Childhood Sexual Trauma Hypnosis and the Treatment of Depressions: Strategies for Change Free Yourself from Depression Brief Therapy Approaches to Treating Anxiety and Depression (Editor) When Living Hurts: Directives for Treating Depression Hypnotic and Strategic Interventions: Principles and Practice (Editor) AUDIO CD PROGRAMS Focusing on Feeling Good: Self-Help for Depression Calm Down! Self-Help for Anxiety Sleeping Soundly Managing Pain with Hypnosis [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Depression Is Contagious How the Most Common Mood Disorder Is Spreading Around the World and How to Stop It Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) AUTHOR’S NOTE The examples, anecdotes, and characters appearing in case vignettes in this book are composites drawn from my clinical work, research, and life experience. I have changed all names and other identifying characteristics throughout the book. This book is not meant to be a substitute for personal treatment, including evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention by a qualified mental health professional. Free Press A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 [www.SimonandSchuster.com](www.SimonandSchuster.com) Copyright © 2009 by Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. Foreword copyright © 2009 by Erving Polster All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Free Press Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 First Free Press hardcover edition September 2009 FREE PRESS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [business@simonandschuster.com](business@simonandschuster.com). The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at [www.simonspeakers.com](www.simonspeakers.com). Manufactured in the United States of America 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Control No. 2008053587 ISBN: 978-1-4165-9074-3 eISBN-13: 978-1-4165-9267-9 [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) To Diane, whose effortless ability to light up a room just by entering it highlights that love is contagious, too [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Contents Foreword by Dr. Erving Polster Introduction 1. Depression Doesn’t Arise in a Social Vacuum: The Social Foundation of Depression 2. Other People Are NOT Just Like You: Frames of Reference, Flexibility, and Acceptance 3. Expectations and Relationship Satisfaction: Learn to Assess Others Realistically 4. Thinking Too Much and Too Deeply: Learn to Take Action 5. Don’t Bring Others Down with You: Learn to “Lighten Up” 6. Self-Deception and Seeking the Truth: Learn to Test Your Beliefs 7. Drawing the Lines: Protect Your Personal Boundaries 8. Marriage Can Save Your Life: How to Keep Yours Healthy 9. Hand-Me-Down Blues: Learn to Reduce Your Child’s “Depression Inheritance” 10. Afterword Notes Appendix A: Exercises to Pause and Reflect and Learn by Doing Appendix B: Self-Help Materials Appendix C: Websites of Note Acknowledgments Inde

FAQs

How does the book explain depression spreading beyond an individual?

It argues depression grows out of a social foundation, influenced by relationships and the way people interpret one another. Social frames, flexibility, and acceptance are presented as key to disrupting spread.

What mindset changes does the book emphasize to reduce depressive patterns?

The book focuses on acting rather than thinking too much, testing beliefs to counter self-deception, and learning to “lighten up.” These steps are framed as practical ways to interrupt unhelpful cycles.

How does the book address boundaries and relationships?

It teaches drawing lines to protect personal boundaries and highlights how healthy relationship practices, including marriage, can support recovery. It also discusses assessing others realistically to improve expectation-management.

Jul 31, 2026

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