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Summary: It Changed My life
Review: This great book made me realize that if I didn't change thought patterns, my subconscious mind would make me think as negative as it always has. I learned to laugh at the behaviors I used to have. And finally look towards something that I really wanted. Piece of Mind. It's funny what we can think about, And what can lead us to act the way we do. All we have to do is learn to laugh at those Why's and new why's take over because that is what we all want. Really...
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Summary: You have the power to make your own life as you like
Review: Based on nearly 30 years of rigorous scientific research, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown at times to be even more effective than drugs for certain mood disorders. You cannot argue with science.The author clearly states right from the beginning however that this book is not for severely depressed individuals, and he urges such people to seek professional help.
I think that this book should be required reading for everyone since it makes clear the basis for so many of the psychological ills that plague so many: Depression, procrastination, anger, guilt, self-esteem, sadness vs. depression, approval addiction, love addiction and, "do nothingism." If any of the above are a concern for you, Burns presents for your consideration and application a refreshingly scientific self help methodology to enable you to empirically verify first-hand the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy in your own life. Then YOU can be the one who speaks with authority. Be warned: This is not a kooky/pop psych. "new age" "feel goodisms" book that will have you wearing crystals, burning an aroma therapy candle, doing some affirmations, visualizations, practicing a plethora of magical thinking and/or mindless faith. In order to benefit from this book you will have to WORK with it, and it could take several months to see results. But what of it?! Isn't it worth a few month to be closer to being the person you always wished you'd be instead of chronically feeling guilty and irritable for always falling somewhere short?
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Summary: Great book but it requires work
Review: This book teaches you that most depression is caused by negative thinking, not by external events. Using the exercises you can then "retrain" yourself to think positively and turn your mood around. Although his writing style is a little hokey (sounds a little like a motivational speaker), he makes a lot of sense. A counselor recommended this book to me for depression, although I was not seeing a counselor while reading this book--and didn't feel like I needed to. However, you have to do the exercises to get results. Just reading it is a great start to discovering why you feel depressed, but it takes work to overcome a lifetime of negative thinking. It took me awhile to realize this. I did the exercises sporadically for a few months and felt ok, but it wasn't until I started doing them every day that I finally saw permanent results. I was so excited about this book I bought copies for my mom and my sister. Even if you're not depressed, this is still a great book for learning how to deal with stress, anger, and frustration. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for people with depression. For $, what do you have to lose? On a side note, my counselor actually recommended I buy the handbook, but I was on such a tight budget, I bought this book instead and have found it very helpful.
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Summary: An Invaluable Resource for Depressives
Review: I think Feeling Good has been AS valuable as therapy and medication both for my seasonal depression and my one bout of severe clinical depression during which I was suicidal. I don't see Dr. Burns as disputing the notion that depression has a physical component (i.e. brain chemistry) but he addresses the modes of thinking that amplify that effect and worsen our depression. It's obvious to me from reading the book repeatedly that he advocates throwing everything you've got at severe depression. Given that you can't be in the therapy office 24/7, the book is for those times when you are alone with the critical and self destructive voice in your head. Changing that voice to work for you instead of against you is what his book is all about. Depression may start with brain chemistry, but under the influence of that chemistry we develop self destructive patterns of thought. While we address the chemistry we cannot ignore the other half of the equation.
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Summary: READ THIS BOOK if you are feeling unhappy and/or anxious
Review: Hello.
Don't you feel alone? Like you are quite possibly the only one who could feel this way? You cannot even explain why you feel the way you do...nothing in life seems to be causing your emotions which makes things even more upsetting.
You are NOT ALONE! You have the power to feel better.
Your thoughts (even the ones you don't 'realize' you have) are creating the negative feeelings you feel.
I know it seems impossible....As if it is not that simple...not for you anyway.
You are 100% able to change the way you feel. But like losing weight it does take work. Put another way you miss 100% of the shots you do not try. THIS is worth it! Don't feel bad for another day. I did not believe in the program, with a Masters in Psychology, I thought it was way too good to be true. But ALL ELSE HAD FAILED....from tradtional counseling to medication.
I now have the control and it is that easy. Every now and then I go back to the book for a 'reminder' but life has changed for me and can for you as well.
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Summary: Good Information, but complicated.
Review: This book is full of good information, but I found it a little over whelming. I have been hospitalized for depression and I found it hard to stay interested. It was also difficult to follow & confusing. Unfortunately, when you are clinically depressed you don't have the energy or drive to work with all that is presented to you in this book. I would recommend this book for the mildly depressed, or someone who is already overcoming depression.
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Summary: Classic Book on Negative Thoughts and Feelings
Review: This book is well known among psychologists as the classic self-help coverage of cognitive therapy for negative thoughts and feelings. It is not out of date -- even somewhat revised from the first edition, and workbook companions are available, too. The one recent development in cognitive therapy that Burns does not cover yet is the research, theory, and self-help cognitive therapy on 'constructive pessimism' which adds important insights about individual differences in optimism and in responses to particular cognitive techniques. That one shortcoming is easily taken care of by adding psychologist Julie Norem's new book, The Positive Power of Negative Thinking. Individual differences are crucial to successful strategies, but don't overlook Feeling Good. Burns gives the best general, broad overview and that makes for a worthy book indeed.
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Summary: A good book, especially for those with mild depression
Review: Having had severe clinical depression for years, I had scoffed at "talk therapies" and never investigated them. I bought "Feeling Good" because I was curious about it and had read several psychiatrists rave about it. Overall, I feel that this book is a good one worth reading by any depressive. However I also believe, from personal experience, that some of the material in "Feeling Good" is incorrect. Dr. Burns obviously does not believe that depression is a biological, brain based disease but more of a "psychological" issue amenable to psychology based therapies. He poo poos the whole notion of depression being "physically based." I had a major problem with that portion of the book. And then later on, in the drugs section of "Feeling Good" Dr. Burns gives the MAOIs a glowing review. The MAOIs are the most potent antidepressants in the psychiatrist's arsenal and frequently work when nothing else works. I find it odd that Dr. Burns refuses to admit depression has a genetic and biological basis, but then goes on and raves about the MAOIs...the strongest antidepressants you can take. That doesnt quite make sense to me. Another problem I have with "Feeling Good" is how Dr. Burns criticizes the modern class antidepressants while talking about the older tricyclic antidepressants as if they are superior to the modern antidepressants like the SSRIs. This is so much bunk. The older tricyclics, like Elavil or Pamelor, while certainly being effective antidepressants, are vastly inferior to the newer modern class antidepressants. The modern class antidepressants have fewer side effects, including having no real anti-cholinergic side effects which have always been the bane of the older tricyclics. Burns fails to mention anti-cholinergic side effect aspect of ALL tricyclics, which I feel is a major lapse. Burns tends to focus more on the "cost" of generic older tricyclics vs the cost of the newer modern SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. The modern class antidepressants like SSRIs, while admittedly more expensive than the older generic tricyclics, are definitely "cleaner" and less toxic to the body and have fewer side effects overall. As far as the main focus of "Feeling Good" the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aspect, I find this to be an excellent adjunct treatment for many types of depressions. For milder depressions (dysthymia) Dr. Burns's CBT methods maybe all thats needed to alieve depression. For more severe cases of depression such as the melancholia subtype AKA "clinical depression," CBT will not be effective by itself but is an excellent skill to learn so it can be used as an adjunctive treatment, like doing regular aerobic exercise. One of the good things about CBT is you can learn it quickly and the sessions are not open ending and do not go on and on and on like classic psychotherapy. You learn CBT...and you apply it. The simplicity is a good thing about it. Quite frankly, I found the best part about "Feeling Good" was the second half of the book which was devoted to the drugs used to treat mood and anxiety disorders. I found overall Burns did a good job of this. He covered MAOIs well. I dont agree with his assessment that the older tricyclics have many benefits over the modern class SSRI antidepressants....I have found it to be the opposite. Burns bashes the notion of "augmenting" antidepressants with anti-psychotics...a common practice in psychiatry nowadays which is very harmful to most depressives and should be curtailed. I agree with Burns opinion of anti-psychotics in mood disorders...they have little use in depression. I would recommend "Feeling Good" if for nothing else the impressive discussion of antidepressants in plain English, layman's terms. Id recommend this book to anyone with depression or anxiety, but particularly persons with milder forms of depression.
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Summary: One of the best self-help books!
Review: This book is one of the best self-help books available!
This is psychology applied to real life, no pop psychology. Burns' recommendations are solidly founded in more than 30 years of psychotherapy research.
And the good news is that approx. 70% of depressed people improve simply by reading this book.
I don't recommend "feeling good" as a substitute for therapy, but if used as an adjunct it can certainly be extremely helpful.
Everyone can understand the ideas presented, you just have to practice and work at changing your negative thoughts. Although this may sound easy, it requires strong persistence.
As a psychologist I also recommend the book "a guide to rational living" by Albert Ellis. Also read the "the feeling good handbook" by Burns.
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Summary: This book has changed my life
Review: I'm a 29 year old male who has had depression since middle school. I've always been the tough guy, not seeking help because I should be able to fix my problems myself. When I couldn't, and finally got up the courage to get help, a doctor recommended this book. It has literally changed my life. I now know what it feels like to be normal, to be able to do the things I've always wanted to do, but was always too depressed to do. I couldn't possibly recommend this book more. I don't know if it will work for everyone, but it sure worked for me. Instead of beating myself up for my mistakes, I can now focus on the without judgement and work on them, and be proud of myself for my accomplishments. This book has taught me that. If you want to feel better, read this book!
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