Kramer considers depression a serious illness with tangible physiological effects such as disorganizing the brain and disrupting the functions of the cardiovascular system and criticizes society for romanticizing depression—involving claims of artistic sensitivity or of genius arising from depression. In his 2005 book Against Depression, he argues that the socio-economic costs of depression are so tremendous and the effects so pervasive that modern societies should work to eradicate the disease as tenaciously as it has with diseases such as small pox.
Kramer's most notable book is Listening to Prozac (1994), grounded in the observation that, treated with antidepressants, some patients reported feeling "better than well." This result led Kramer to consider the feasibility of "cosmetic psychopharmacology," the use of medication in healthy people to induce personality traits that are desired or socially rewarded. Within the book, Kramer considers consequences for medical ethics and critiques the tendency of the culture to reward particular personality styles, namely those characterized by energy and assertiveness. The book is commonly but mistakenly believed to argue for the use of the medication. From 2005 through 2006, Kramer served as principal host of the public radio program The Infinite Mind. He also often reviews books (in Slate, Washington Post, New York Times Book Review) and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle.
