Rating: 
Summary: Helpful for almost anyone
Review: I learned of this book from a friend in counseling for depression and was curious. I read it and go back to it from time to time. It helped me to battle the negative thought habits that interfere will full enjoyment of life. There is a chapter on anger that I feel would be helpful to almost anyone. The chapter on underlying beliefs that set one up for depression was also excellent and thought provoking.. The review of antri depressents was also very interesting. This book will not be enough help or someone struggling with clinical depression, but I think it would be a good tool for therapy. For people who battle low level depression from time to time, it's got some good exercises and advice. I highly recommend it for almost anyone as a way to deepen understanding of what leads to depression.
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Summary: If you feel bad about yourself: read this book ASAP.
Review: This book is rated very highly for a good reason. It is everything they say it is. Burns points out the negative turns depressed persons make in their thinking, which makes the reader aware that the road has signs. Can't recommend this book highly enough for hard times; it has to be one of the top ten books that can change a life. So even if you are so blue that you can't get out of bed to wash today; order this book and read it when it comes, and you might find yourself a lot cleaner person within a week. Better than chocolate for breakups, Kung Fu for Bullies, tickling for naysayers, and life jackets for those adrift. Buy, buy, buy!
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Summary: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
Review: This book got me out of a six year slump. I'd seen dozens of doctors and tried more than 4 different drugs, but nothing worked. Then this book was given to me. It was the answer; I finally found myself saying "yeah, that's exactly how I feel!" After working with the book for about two months, I felt like I was finally myself!
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Summary: Feeling good: the new mood therapy
Review: This is the book that changed my life! Or I should say that "save my life"! Last year I was sure that I would end up with suicide and it was only a matter of time. My life was hanging with a thread. It was a result of a 10 year long depression. Then I was hospitalized. In the psychiatric hospital, someone told me about this book by Dr. David Burns, I bought it as soon as I checked out of the hospital. I have bought numurous selfhelp book, they were all cliches. None of them offered the powerful techniques and excercises like this book. The 12 mental errors it described in the books are really the reason contributing to depressed mood. This is a must read for anyone who wants to help themselves to get out of the depressed mood. I'm very grateful to Dr. Burns!
Rating: 
Summary: IS IT FOR EVERYONE? LET THE READER DECIDE.
Review: As one who has studied psychology and has worked as a counsellor for many years, I agree in general principles with what the author is attempting to express throughout the pages of the book. The book may not be terribly beneficial solely as a self-help book for I know many individuals, particularly those who are chronically depressed, that simply would not have the stamina or attention span to "stick with the program." For others, it may be difficult to thoroughly understand and follow. Therefore, the book will probably work best when used in conjunction with your qualified therapist or psychologist. I do not believe that any one particular form of therapy necessarily works for everyone; we are each unique individuals who respond to various forms of therapy in different ways.
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Summary: Still selling well after 21 years...because it works
Review: This book is still selling well 21 years after its first edition was published because the methods work. After first practicing Freudian psychiatry...and finding that it usually (i) didn't work and/or (ii) was far too expensive and time-consuming, Albert Ellis developed rational/cognitive therapy in 1955 and soon added emotive and behavioral tools. Ellis and Burns have played the most important roles in effectively making these tools available to us laymen. These tools work so well that you're far more likely to effectively deal with your own challenges with them than if you went to a psychologist or psychiatrist. (Some people truly do have chemical imbalances or temporarily need medication to get them to where they can deal with their situations, and that, of course, requires seeing a medical doctor.) Studies have consistently proven that cognitive-behavioral techniques help people faster and provide better long-term results than traditional psychiatric therapies. I want to make one point that doesn't appear in most other reviews. Like Ellis, Burns shows you how to use both cognitive and BEHAVIORAL techniques. Yes, most unwanted feelings and behaviors do start with our own thoughts...and we can learn to change them. The main other thing I've learned over the past 20 years or so, however, is that I also need to first take some physical action to help change the emotional/behavioral pattern that I don't want. Just sitting in a chair and thinking differently doesn't do the trick. And "Feeling Good" provides you these tools, too. You can easily benefit from the most powerful tools available through buying and using both Burns' "Feeling Good" and Albert Ellis' "A Guide to Rational Living." While "Feeling Good" is better written and contains a wider variety of tools, Ellis teaches you how to use the single most effective cognitive system. These tools require you to work in order to realize the benefits that you want. The terrific news is that there is hope! And, just as importantly, you have access to the tools that you need...now.
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Summary: Can help most anyone, even if you are not depressed
Review: Even if you are not blue, this book can help you become more positive, by teaching you ways to change your ingrained thought patterns. The premise is that how you think determines how you feel. I am not depressed, but have noticed an elevation in my mood since skimming though part of this book and trying to be more aware of the thoughts that automatically flit though my head on a daily basis. This book is also excellent as an adjunct to therapy and medication for treatment of clinical depression.
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Summary: one of my frequent gifts
Review: by addressing common errors in thinking and logic, dr. burns helps you see your mistakes and make healthier choices. i frequently give this book out to friends who are going through difficult times in their lives--not just depression, but any emotionally painful situation that might leave them vulnerable to depression. the book provides specifc, concrete advice, exercises and perspective that can be useful right away to help. while it isn't a magic fix (as there is no such thing), it does offer tools to help accurately evaluate and deal with painful feelings. the approach suggested in the book can help you break out of an overwhelming emotional response to view situations and difficulties more rationally.
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Summary: Taking medicaion and sick of it! You are NOT alone
Review: I know many of you are like I was, thinking you are totally alone in this. That is the worst things about depression or anxiety, you feel ike "No one else could possibly feel like this" BUT they do..........And the more you talk about it the more you will see. This book is fantastic! I am a 31 years old with a Master in Counseling Psychology who, believe it or not, has suffered from depression and aniexty my whole life on and off. If you honestly WANT to feel better, and are willing to do a limited amount of mental work then this book is for you. I was taking Zoloft and did not want to take it for the rest of my life. I thought, "There is no way this will work, I have a chemical imbalance." But you miss 100% of the shots you do not try.....I am medication free and feel fantasic. It is all mind over matter! If you get the book you have to WANT to change the way you feel as it takes practice..If you are like me you will read a chapter or two and say........."Hmmm... I doubt this can help me, I am different...." Well you would be wrong...You are just like the rest of us you suffer from depression. READ THIS BOOK AND KEEP IT WITH YOU! Life is all the way you 'think it' to be!
Rating: 
Summary: sorry doc but no thanks
Review: Interesting discussions about meds otherwise don't waste yout time or money. There is nothing original here that you have heard or read many times before. Besides, if it's "self help" you want you won't get it from a book you will not need to waste your money, especially on this one.
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