You Can Beat Depression: A Guide To Prevention & Recovery, Fourth Edition - Softcover

Preston, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1886230609 ISBN 13: 9781886230606

Publisher: Impact Publishers, Inc., 2004

Synopsis

Here’s a revised and updated edition of the most readable book on depression. Folks who are feeling really depressed often don’t feel much like reading, but You Can Beat Depressionis a very reader-friendly self-help guide. This important resource has been recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health D/ART program and the National Mental Health Association. Readers will find all-new information on bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment, along with helpful material on prevention of depression, prevention of relapse after treatment, brief therapy interventions, exercise and other non-medical approaches, the Prozac controversy, and much more. Includes an up-to-date consumer guide to medications. Its comprehensive approach to self-assessment carefully guides readers to figure out when and how they can help themselves, when they need to seek professional treatment, and what to expect along the way.

About this title

About the Author

John Preston, PsyD, is a board certified psychologist and the author of ten books including Survivors, You Can Beat Depression, Integrative Brief Therapy, and Life is Hard (audio). He is on the faculty of Alliant University and the University of California, Davis, Medical School. He is the recipient of the Mental Health Association's President's Award for contributions to the mental health community. Dr. Preston has lectured widely in North America and abroad.

From the Back Cover

This highly recommended self-help guide that has helped tens of thousands of readers is completely revised and updated, and now also includes a new comprehensive discussion of bipolar disorder and its treatment

-- Learn about the different types of depression...

-- Examine the seriousness of your own condition...

-- Learn to use proven self-help procedures...

-- Recognize when you can "do it yourself," and when you can't...

-- Understand about medications for depression...

-- Find the right professional treatment if you need it.

"An excellent self-help guide... could help anyone beat the blues quickly and effectively." --American Library Association BOOKLIST

"...brief, clear, to the point, highly readable... I recommend it..." --A. John Rush, M.D., University of Texas Medical Center

"Highly recommended." --THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

"...an easy to read, practical guide for individuals and family members coping with depression." --Michael M. Faenza, President and CEO National Mental Health Association

"Clear, easily understandable approach to depression that the average reader will find very helpful." --Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Author, FEELING BETTER, GETTING BETTER, STAYING BETTER

John Preston, Psy.D., ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and the author of 14 books. He is a professor of psychology at Alliant International University and has also taught at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, in Sacramento. Dr. Preston is the recipient of the Mental Health Association's President's Award for contributions to the mental health community. He is a frequent presenter throughout the United States and abroad.

For information and free literature on depression: National Institute of Mental Health D/ART Program: 1-800-421-4211 National Mental Health Association Campaign on Clinical Depression: 1-800-969-NMHA

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Depression is painful.

It's a disabling condition that affects millions of people each year, causing tremendous emotional distress, interfering with daily living, family life, and work, increasing the risk of physical illness, and sometimes even leading to suicide. However, as I'll make clear in this book, depression is a very treatable condition. Unfortunately, most depressed people are not treated and are unaware of the help that is available.

One of the most painful aspects of depression is the sense of helplessness and powerlessness that depressed people often feel. You may be experiencing it as a sense of being trapped, unable to overcome profound feelings of despair and hopelessness. Concerned friends may try to cheer you up by saying "Things will get better... look on the bright side..." Most of the time such words of encouragement do little to pierce the veil of sadness and pessimism. True hope can only be sparked when you find out about ways to beat depression that make sense to you and that have been shown to be effective.

In this book I'll present to you, in a brief and easy to understand way, several approaches to the treatment of depression for adults and older teenagers. All these methods have solid and sound scientific evidence of effectiveness. The ideas fall into two broad categories: professional treatment and self-help approaches. Many people who are depressed need and can benefit significantly from treatment with a mental health professional. But there is a lot you can do to gain control over your depression on your own, and a self-help approach can pay extra benefits:

--You may notice positive results in a relatively short time, since the self-help approaches described here are extremely effective; there is ample research to show that they work.
--There is a special sense of satisfaction and power that can be experienced when you are able to do certain things, notice that it makes a difference, and know in your own mind that you are in control and have the ability to combat depressed feelings. Restoring a sense of personal power and increased self-confidence/self-esteem is an important part of overcoming depression.
--These self-help approaches can also be very helpful for people who are involved in professional treatment.
--As a bonus, once you have learned specific skills for reducing your depression, you have gained tools which will allow you to ward off the recurrence of depression.

Self-help is not a substitute for professional treatment, of course. Apply the insights and ideas you gain from this book, but be sure to get professional help if you need it. Chapters Four and Thirteen will help you decide.

I realize that for many people experiencing depression, even the idea of reading a book can feel like a difficult task. I want to make this process easier and have attempted to write a book that is brief and easy to understand. The first chapter addresses the question, "What is depression?" The following chapters will focus on how to cope and when to seek out professional treatment.

It is my sincere hope that this book will make a difference for you.

Edition details

• Publisher: Impact Publishers, Inc.
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1886230609
• ISBN 13: 9781886230606
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 176