Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1990, Vol 35(1), 61-62. Reviews the book, Phenomenology of Depressive Illness edited by J. John Mann (1988). This volume is organized around the various subtypes of affective disorders (e.g., bipolar, delusional, atypical, childhood, geriatric, etc.), with typically one chapter devoted to a review of each subtype. Introductory chapters provide some interesting historical and background information. Later chapters describe each disorder in detail, with special attention to issues of differential diagnosis. Most of these chapters also include a review of currently accepted pharmacological treatment procedures for the disorder. Although much of the information provided would not be of direct practical assistance to practicing psychologists, this volume does give the psychologist an excellent introduction to the psychiatric perspective on severe affective disorders and, thus, may facilitate communication between disciplines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)