Depression Books

I have purchased a number of these guides and have found them to be a great support and teaching tool for individuals with depression and their families. They are ideal to use in conjunction with therapy.
Ann D., Licensed Mental Health Counselor

"The guide helped me tremendously in answering my therapist's question, 'How have you been?' That was always difficult to answer and it was easy to say that I was awful. But the guide showed that I really was improving."

I have had depression for many years. Using this guide has helped me to keep track of how I am doing. I am able to track my moods, medication, sleeping and eating patterns. I can see my progress over time and it's been really helpful to show to my therapist. I also use it with my husband and have found that it helps both of us to communicate about my depression.

The leading experts in the field have been brought together in this insightful, refreshing and unique work. Depressive Rumination is essential reading for any clinician, researcher or student that wishes to keep abreast with cutting-edge theory and practice.

Rumination is the most salient, mental feature in depression and other mood disorders. Understanding this process will improve current psychological therapies for depression. This book clearly achieves this goal and much more. The editors should be congratulated for producing a state-of-the-art volume on this important process. This book is essential reading for all students, academics, and clinicians.

Meta-cognitive therapy, in its essence, is as old as Buddhist detached mindfulness and experiential attunement to the self-reflective state of being the Thinker behind one's Thoughts. The West-East clinical synthesis of meta-cognition and mindfulness, however, appears to have been slowed down by our methodological ethic of needing emperical validation: despite anecdotal data on the self-regulatory efficacy of meta-cognitive states, the Western scientist-practitioner appears to have been awaiting the formal sanction of empirical validation.

"Depressive Rumination" by Wells and Papageorgiou provides such a sanction and makes application of meta-cognitive techniques clinically transparent. The book introduces the theory and research behind the emerging field of meta-cognitive therapy and provides step-by-step clinical protocols for applying the armamentarium of meta-cogntive therpay to the all-too-familiar presentation of perservative, recyclic depressogenic rumination.

Given the fundamental similarity of rumination (past-focused) and worry (future-focused), as perservative thinking styles primarily different in time-focus, the book not only provides direction to how help clients manage their depressive rumination, but also enhances clinician's appreciation for how to meta-cogntively engage anxiety/worry presentations. As such, the book is an important primer on meta-cognitive therapy in general.

Pavel Somov, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Athour of "The Recovery Equation: Motivational Enhancement/Choice Awareness/Use Prevention: an Innovative Clinical Curriculum for Substance Use Treatment."

This book is based on a diary which the author began in 1927, when she was 15 and a farm girl in North Dakota, and covers the years from 1927 ro 1937. She worked very hard and lived in grinding poverty. She went to college and then taught school and fended off marriage proposals, and never in the book says a good word for the man she married--who was courting her thru the last years she was keeping her diary. This I found to be quite a book, unpretentious as it holds itself out to be. A most moving account of a time and place one seldom hears about. I recommend it unreservedly.

I absolutely adored this book. It was powerful for me because it gave me an honest, often humorous, but vivid account of a reality I craved knowing more about...the depression years in the Great Plains states. I think I know more about my mother, who grew up a poor tenant farmer's daughter, just a little better. I look forward passing it on to others, and even using it as a wonderful book to read to some of my older friends.

Wonderful narrative of a difficult time in America. Such perspective of events from close to home. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates history unrevised and truthful.
T. Addison

I wanted this book because I wanted to see how a Harvard-educated man expressed depression and attempted suicide, the experience of being inside of a mental institution, what the other patients were like. I thought that he would have the words to express what many possibly could not. This is one of the best books of poetry, and books in general, I have ever read. Jantz uses metaphor and hypnotic words to express the delicate nuances of his experience. You see through his eyes, the terror, the hope, the hopelessness, the courage, and aloneness, and even the humor of his experience. Our poetry group decided to use this book to explore how writing verse can be therapeutic and also how it is challenging to convey your most personal experiences and feelings through the written word. Jantz is our hero and his writing is beautiful.

A good read, pretty intense at times...Describes in poems the writer's disintegration, suicide attempt, hospitalization and a rocky but nebulous recovery. Takes a few shots at God along the way, or the lack of one...

The author's journey through clinical depression is illustratively depicted through his tragic words, his recovery evidenced in his insights, and his wit obvious throughout. The melody of his poems, from the melancholy strum of deep despair, to the skylit waftings of hope and promise, can resonate in the soul of everyone. This collection holds meaning for anyone who has ever loved, hurt, struggled...lived.

A wonderful stroll through rural Lousiana of pre WWII as seen through the eyes of a witty, yet respectful youth.Being the youngest child by quite a bit allows Robert the privilege of observing his mostly adult world little noticed, and he doesn't mind pointing out to us a few of the humorous inconsistencies prevalent in the Southern Baptist community. Despite the ever present financial hardships of the depression and the aforementioned foibles, Robert learns the value of pride in his work and compassion for others that help him move into the wider world that will become his adult home. Highly recommended.

What a pleasure to read! Robert's recollections of 'simpler times' are vivid and engaging. I can easily visualize the old home place, though I've never seen it. An easy and pleasant read that takes you back in time and away from the hectic life and everyday pressures we all face. Thanks for a great bit of history and perspective of life in the deep South, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What was it like to grow up in the Great Depression, to experience childhood according to the rhythms of farm life in a north Louisiana community where friends, family, school, and church defined the dimensions of daily life? History buffs and those interested in the landscape of the old south will find much to enjoy in Robert Aycock's memoir, Essays of Remembrance, which follows the author from his boyhood on the farm to his college days at LSU in the boisterous aftermath of the Huey Long era. The book's vivid and detailed account of wartime experiences in the Army Medical Corps offers a fascinating glimpse of the World War II homefront at a time when care for sick and injured soldiers predated the discovery of the sulfonamides and antibiotics. Aycock writes of special friendships formed, and the haunting reminder of friends and the thousands of others who did not survive the great conflict.

Prozac has profoundly influenced and changed my life for the better. However when I had first began taking the medication I was very uninformed about how it works, whether it is safe or addicting, how long I would have to continue taking it etc. My friend bought me a copy of this book and I am so glad she did. It aleviated many of my fears about continuing with the drug and provided me insight into how the drug works and all of the contraversy behind it. It also provides many case studies on Prozac.

This remains the best "medical" review of Prozac. Later books had lots of hype and opinion, but this book really focussed on the medical and psychiatric facts. Too bad it wasn't more provocative, and is would have gotten the publicity it deserved.

I happened upon this title after reading some of the newer books about Prozac. This is the only book that tells the history of the drug and how it became the center of a controversy, using a calm and scientific approach. It felt as though I was talking to my doctor, and not listening to a news broadcast. The references, though now a little dated, are remarkably complete, and reading the analyses of the "crisis" around Prozac that the authors have prepared made me feel as though I had a good understanding of the drug.

I'd suggest this book for anyone looking for an objective viewpoint about Prozac.

Feeling Good For Life manages to explain the most current research on the connection between mood and exercise--but without being over the head of a casual reader interested in getting in shape and putting some new focus into the daily routine. Mr. Salazar's passion for the subject is evident...and judging by the illustrations of his exercise techniques that accompany the step-by-step planner, he practices what he preaches! An upbeat and practical first effort.

Feeling Good For Life by psychologist and certified personal trainer Marcos Salazar offers the reader a diet and exercise system for significantly improved health and demonstrably better muscle tone that will substantially help to overcome the darkness of depression and enjoy life to the fullest. Individual chapters address the benefits of incorporating aerobics, weight training, proper nutrition, and much more into one's life. An excellent and thoughtful guide to personal improvement, Feeling Good For Life is recommended reading for anyone seeking to improve their physical and mental well being.

I had never encountered a book before which specifically addresses the relationship between depression and exercise in a clear and fun format- anyone feeling a bit low or anyone looking to figure out exactly why they feel so great when they are exercising regularly should grab a copy of the book! I particularly found the photos in the back depicting the author performing various weight baring exercises to be an excellent template for my own training. (He's pretty damn hot too!)

This practical book has a section explaining depression and how to get help. the latter part of the book has spiritual exercises that help you meditate on the psalms of lament. Depression is a disease of the mind body and spirit. I know of no other book that addresses the spiritual side of depression.

This book is nothing short of a blessing, whether you're dealing with depression yourself or know someone who is (or might be). Finding God is a wonderful resource that starts out by telling you more about what depression is and how you can tell if you or someone else has it. Also, Lewis makes sure that you know that the book alone will not heal you--he lays out the three-part plan that you will need. I myself am dealing with depression right now, and this book has helped greatly. I'm not even done with it yet, and I've already bought two more copies to send to other people. If you or someone you know has or might have depression, you can't afford not to buy this book!

This little book is brilliant. I suffer from severe depression and although I am also content in Christ and am joy-ful, there are times when all I can do is groan and BE a prayer. And yes, of course you can be suffering depression as an illness and be full of joy!
This book starts with several chapters which are amongst the most sensible I have some across to do with depression. The chapters dealing with the use of the Psalms are very practical.
Psalm 13 was called by a friend of mine, 'The Depressives' Psalm.' Using this psalm in the book was of great comfort to me, for this friend misunderstands me and has turned away from me causing enormous grief.This grief has impacted on my depression greatly. Yet, as this book testifies, there is always hope in Christ, even in the deepest despair.I know there will be total reconciliation one day.
Thomas Lewis fully understands depression, first hand.

While I've considered myself generally "happy" throughout my life, I must say there have been some frustrating times when I had to ask myself, "am I there yet". My attitude about happiness has always been rather complacent - a nebulous concept that either happens or doesn't happen while or after I did or got things. I don't think I consciously connected most of my goals with "happiness" but focused instead on just working to complete something. This book really changed that attitude!

After reading the book, I have come to realize that the magnifying glass on it's front cover is not merely a symbolic tool used in a spatial search for happiness, but more importantly that I needed to closely examine my concept of happiness. It showed me that in addition to the "what" or "where" happiness is, I first need to focus on the "why" of a goal or thing that I believe will give me happiness. And the author laid out a clear and logical plan for the "how".

I particularly liked the easy-going, low-key style of the book - a lot of good question and answer dialog that the author uses to clarify the concepts he presents. The chapter summary notations reinforced my understanding as I progressed through the book and it all flowed at a comfortable pace that kept me thoroughly interested throughout my reading. I also like the reference section at the end of the book. I think the author really did his homework and definitely scratched beneath the surface of the topic. For me, reading this book and practicing the step-by-step plan was kind of like scratching off one of those lotto cards and finding a clear image of happiness underneath. I found a lot of valuable information there! I highly recommend this gem of a book.

This book is a quick read. The author has taken all the research and packed it up nicely into this informative little story. Reading most books takes me long, multiple sittings, but not this one. In a short sitting, I discovered a simple plan for long-term happiness.

This is one of the newer happiness books and currently my favorite. In less than 100 pages, it offers a reader all they ever wanted to know about the subject of happiness- and then some. While some readers might be turned off by its brevity, I wasn't bothered, and in fact, appreciated it! As the insert of the book points out, "What good is a big book full of useful information if nobody ever finishes it?" Here's some specifics:

Chapter one poses the question, "Why are some people so much happier than others?" We've all met those individuals now and then that always seem to be happy all the time. What's their secret? The book will answer this by the end.

Chapter two will show you that happiness is really our ultimate pursuit and the main reason we want a lot of the things we do. For example, would you want a million dollars if you knew it couldn't bring you any happiness? Of course not, its really the happiness the money could bring you that you really want, not the money itself.

Chapter three goes into how happiness researchers go about studying happiness. Yes, its a science, and yes, it can be legitimately studied. This chapter tells you how they do it.

Chapter four is all about things that have very little to do with making a person happy. The book points out many things people waste their time on that won't ever result in long-term happiness. It also explains the process of adaptation that keeps material things from bringing people long-term happiness. The book provides a good example- was there ever a song you were just crazy about- but got sick of hearing after you played it for awhile? This same process occurs with posessions- so don't waste too much of your time trying to find happiness by acquiring more "things."

Chapter five is the opposite of Chapter four- it tells you what things have a LOT to do with determining your happiness. Here you learn all about the role of genetics, circumstances, and intentional activity.

Chapter six is probably why most people will buy the book and shows you how to find long-term happiness. It needs to be made clear here that the suggestions, as well as the step-by-step plan (which is Chapter seven), have been proven to work. The author puts a pretty big bite behind this claim by citing not one, but several controlled trials that have been published in the positive psychology literature proving that his suggestions will work for you. Without going through every detail of the plan, let me just say that it is simple to do and you can begin right after reading the book.

So, if you're looking to live a happier life, want to start concentrating your life's efforts on what will really make you happy in the long run, OR if you simply want to learn more about the science of happiness- get it. If reading this book has whetted your appetite to learn more about the vast academic and technical aspects of happiness, I suggest checking out The Science of Subjective Well-Being. Happy trails!

I'd characterize The Glow Stone as a Stephen King style suspense/ghost story with a strong psychological edge. It starts out as a thoughtful study of a young girl in a troubled family and ends with a thrilling test of strength combined with supernatural elements. I was completely engrossed by this book.

Phoebe ("Spider") is a heroine who will captivate all readers who want books about REAL girls: she is bright, independent, funny, and she's trying to figure out herself, her family, and the truths that matter most. (What a welcome change from "teen lit" featuring designer clothes and mean gossip!) The Glow Stone is honest, funny, and exciting (the chapters set in the cave are real nail-biters!), an adventure of the heart and the spirit.

Beautifully written and compelling, the Glow Stone has much to offer. A riveting and fast-moving adventure story on the one hand, an intense exploration of an adolescent's inner demons on the other--a range of readers will be pulled in. And a strong, realistic role model for girls. Highly recommended!