The Feeling Good Handbook
by David D. Burns
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Book Reviews of The Feeling Good Handbook
Book Review: Daunting, but worth it
Summary: 4 Stars
I read reviews and ordered this book. Soon after, a gigantic tome with tiny writing landed on my doorstep, and i'm surprised it didn't crack the sidewalk.
Ok, so maybe i'm exaggerating a bit here. But still, I'm not the self-help type, but after struggling with inner demons quite a bit I thought it would be worth a shot. I tried unsuccessfully to get through this thing a few times... but when I finally did, I was happy.
This book gives real, concrete insight on depression and the like. For those who just feel like they're crazy and can't figure it all out, it helps sort things out. It's a good way to become more self-aware, which is a good step on the road to feeling better.
The book also gives an excellent overview of medications and what they do and what their risks are. I feel something like that is priceless in a world where consumers and patients are less and less informed about what they're really getting written down on that little perscription order.
I say, give it a shot. Consider it a cheap extra therapy session.
Book Review: Conquer your depression and fears
Summary: 5 Stars
The advice in this book is extremely beneficial. It does work. Some of the things Dr. Burns states a depressed person must do is get out of bed and get busy. He also states you must face your fears and suggests that you make yourself "crack up" It is impossible. You can face your fears or phobias using a proces he calls "flooding." I forced myself to face my fear of going back to work. Once I made it through the first day and was successful, I had disproved my distorted thoughts. Dr. Burns gives some incredible writing exercises to do. You state your automatic (negative) thoughts . He has you identify the distortions and then write a realistic thought. You then rate your realistic thought and then again rate your belief in your "automatic" thought. The writing exercises really help, but it does take time and practice. You start feeling gradually better and within a month of hard work, you actually do feel good most of the time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any level of depression, phobia, or anxiety attacks.Book Review: Very Helpful Sequel to Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book to be very helpful as an adjunct to Burns's previous book Feeling Good. While not absolutely essential, I think most people would benefit from reading and applying the techniques from Feeling Good prior to studying The Feeling Good Handbook. Once you have the basics down from the former book, you can more easily benefit from the specific techniques in the Handbook. I especially found the chapters on procrastination to be very helpful. I was able to go from extremely depressed to normal and happy using the techniques in Feeling Good alone, but I enjoyed Burns's writing so much that I just had to pick up this book, too, as well as his other books.If you only purchase one self-help book I'd recommend Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. If you want to read more I'd recommend this book as a second purchase for help with applying cognitive therapy techniques to specific problems such as procrastination, anxiety problems and communication problems. If you need help with shyness or relationships I'd recommend Burns's Intimate Connections.
Book Review: This book helped me overcome a clinical depression!
Summary: 5 Stars
My copy of this book is from 1980. I am certain that the current edition is even more useful! In my case, I combined the cognitive therapy Burns recommends with medication to control my depression, and I would recommend that ANYONE suffering from depression use the same approach. Burns has an excellent treatment of modern antidepressants included in the book.An exceptionally useful item in the book is a self assessment. I used this to periodically rate my level of depression to show if I was getting better or not. This tool alone is worth the price of the book.
In any case, if you are suffering from the symptoms of depression, GET HELP! From personal experience, it is extremely difficult to dig your way out of depression alone. Burn's book will augment any form of therapy and medication.
By the way, in the early days of my depression, I took the Misnnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) which rates you on a number of items. On the depression scale, I scored 10 out of a possible 10 points! (Which is as bad as it gets!!)
Book Review: A fine guide
Summary: 4 Stars
I recommend this book for those who would like to cope with the mild annoyances of life. The book is very readable. Please do not be put off by the cover. I find it tacky. But the contents are fine, especially as a first go at cognitive therapy.
It aims for normality. Actually I believe this to be the best alternative to the ridiculously pseudoscientific NLP (neurolinguistic programming). If you are striving for greatness, you will be annoyed and upset. This book is a reliable and scientifically supported guide to help you stay normal under potentially stressful situations.
Unlike NLP, it demystifies, and removes anything close to placebos or other devices that are likely to turn you into a delusional NLP zealot.
Its a big book, with loads of good recommendations and strategies, so it will keep you flexible. It also assumes that you are in positive control of your life.
In short, its a good book, with solid scientific reasons for its effectiveness.
Regards
DrLee