This edited volume of personal experiences of depression has been written by mental health workers, and is the most comprehensive collection of phenomenological accounts of depression in the English language. The book, which takes a positive view of depressive experience, is aimed at a wide range of readers, both professional - doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists - and lay persons such as members of self-help groups for depressed patients and their families. The editors conclude that an episode or episodes of depression does not necessarily mean the end of a productive mental health career and that benefits in personal and professional life can result from the experience of depression. Although depression amongst helping professionals is of special public interest, this book aims to stimulate wider discussion of this overlooked topic, which has implications for mental health in the professions generally.