Over the years, I have stumbled upon many books about depression that are aimed at those with depression and the important people in their lives. A number of characteristics set this book apart from the others. Firstly, the author is writing from the perspective of an individual with both significant personal and professional experience of depression. This experience and expertise is infused throughout the topics covered in the book and was a particular highlight in my reading. Secondly, the book is focused on later life depression which is a common and important condition, but often overshadowed by literature addressing younger age groups.

The breadth of topics is evidenced by the chapter titles of What is Late-Life Depression, Geriatric Mood Disorders, Diagnosis for Depression in Later Life, Traditional Treatments for Depression in Later Life, Holistic Approaches to Depression in Later Life, How to Maintain Success in Treatment, Suicide in Later Life, What to Expect Should You Need Hospitalization, Conscious Aging with Depression in Later Life, Long-Term Care and Late-Life Depression, 15 Late-Life Depression Myths Everyone Should Know. Following this, there are a number of very practical appendices containing useful tools such as rating scales, templates for medication lists and a list of-high-profile people with mood disorders (predominantly from the USA, UK, Europe and Oceania). The reference list was quite extensive.

I was particularly impressed by Chapter 7 on Suicide in Later Life as clearly this is a difficult but undoubtedly important topic to discuss. Dr Serani covered this topic very sensitively while also providing evidence from the literature and most importantly, a practical approach to risk assessment and management for people with depression and the important people in their lives. Some of the discussion was more relevant to a USA readership such as specific services and legislative frameworks, as well definitions of affect and mental status examination, and the absence of the melancholic subtype of depression. There are also likely to be differences in opinion amongst professionals including my own experience that pharmacogenetic testing has not been as useful in clinical practice compared with that of Dr Serani's.

As a psychiatrist, I found Chapter 5 on Holistic Approaches particularly interesting as it covered potential adjunctive treatments that I was less familiar with such as aromatherapy, green space, acupuncture and exercise. I particularly took note of the recommendation to avoid “appoggiaturas” in songs such as Adele's “Someone like you” which appear to move listeners to tears according to the literature cited in this chapter! I would certainly recommend this book to those who have depression, the important people in their lives and those who work with people with depression. The many practical tips found in the book are invaluable, especially around preparing to see health professionals, relapse prevention, hospitalisation, long-term care and the concept of “conscious aging”, all of which are illuminated skilfully with case vignettes that give us the privilege of being a “fly on the wall” of Dr Serani's consulting room.