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Summary: Multiple Sources, Multiple Ways to Deal...
Review: O'Connor's book is a tremendous breath of fresh air if you've read other books on depression that assume that depression (never mind who is dealing with it) comes from the same old Freudian reasons. Nope. O'Connor recognizes that depression comes from multiple sources: chemical, nature, nurture, habits (both bad and "good"), and he offers practical (rather than just theoretical) ways to approach the practical problem of depression. Can you give 5% more attention to the issues that affect you? Are you willing to give yourself 5% more notice? Even if you think you don't deserve it? Your willingness to try could make the difference between hopeless repetition of methods that don't work and hopeful experimentation that can make you more of a participant in your own life.
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Summary: depressed teenager
Review: I'm a depressed teen who went through all of the major depression and now have chronic depression, mostly. My life went to shambles because of my depression, and I mostly kept all of my bad habits from that old depression, namely that I thought feeling 'bad' was a normal feeling ('feeling bad' is not feeling sadness, sorrow, or normal worry but feeling sour and feelingless all the time).I think he kept the whole thing pretty real throughout the whole book, encouraging us to see where our lives basically fall apart at random events (mine was neglect and abuse) and how basically everyone runs into problems, and that most depressives just get really unlucky. But having gone through it himself and knowing where it comes from, he seems to have mastered a lot of the things, and just from that I give him an A for confidence to come out and say all of this stuff. I think anyone could benefit from the book, but for most depressives who are in major depression, don't you dare touch this. It's an amazing resource for the post-depressed who struggle with depressive habits, but it's a terrible tragedy for people who are depressed. It will probably only make them worse as they continue to think about how 'good' they'd feel recovering. For them I just recommend lots of relaxation and therapy, and time to get over it. Good luck to anyone who reads this book. (It's an easy read.) May your depression be swift to leave and/or may you gain whole understanding of the problems that depressed people have.
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Summary: Practical Tips to Undo Depression
Review: This book gives practical tips as to how to undo depression. However, the subtitle, "what therapy doesn't teach you and medication can't give you," is misleading. I bought the book expressly for the purpose of finding an alternative solution to therapy and medication, when in fact, the author DOES recommend therapy and medication-- sometimes both at the same time! As an ardent promoter of non-medication solutions to depression, this book was a disappointment. However, the author provides practical tips to combat depression, and as a doctor, admitted that he struggles with depression himself. Reading about the author's personal battle with depression makes the purchase of this book worthwhile. Otherwise, if you are looking for an alternative solution to therapy and medication, look elsewhere because it is recommended everywhere in this book.
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Summary: very helpful
Review: This book gave me a lot of insight and helped me to be more proactive in wriggling free of the hold of depression. It was still helpful even though I didn't do all the exercises and stuff it suggested, even if only for the insight it gave me. I still re-read it from time to time to remind myself to stay on track. While it didn't magically fix everything (nothing can) it gave me the help I needed to help myself
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Summary: This book is all about helping you to get better
Review: I have put up with depression for most of my life. I still enjoy life, but I just assumed that the depression won't ever get much better, so I take my medication, work, enjoy hobbies, family and friends to the best of my ability, but still...this book along with Michael Yapko's Breaking the Patterns of Depression will give you the insights, the practical techniques and the principles that will help you to start to get better, really better. I love the way O'Connor makes this book so completely accessible without "dumbing it down" and the 12 principles at the end are worth memorizing (I have done this). Perhaps the single most important thing I learned is the the need for depressed people to stop being afraid of their emotions - to realize how emotions, both happy and sad, are such limited things that will pass quickly as we move on with our lives. Depressed people, for a variety of reasons, use defense mechanisms that cause problems down the road, and although this may sound so simple, it is also very important to learn (and relearn if necessary). Highly reccommended.
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Summary: I Am A Little Concerned About This Book
Review: I only partially completed reading this book, I became a little concerned with the references and information and therefore had to put it down. On the other hand, this book is a easy read, with smooth flowing sentences. I use a depressgenic style of thinking myself, and I have read well over 300 books from psychology texts to regular self help. I did find some interesting things in the book, but continued to be concerned over some of the references in the book i.e. Siegleman. There are other attributional therorists that have put forward better theories, but they remain unmentioned. I was tring to find this person's educational background in this book and I could not, usually this information is easy to find. The reference is to psychotherapist but unfortunately I believe anyone can meet this criteria. I would recommend Yapko's books on depression. I would not recommend the hypnosis as the evidence to support that hypnosis helps depression appears to be unfounded.
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Summary: Rewiring the brain without medication
Review: I found this book quite original and well-written. I come from the school of thought that the greatest component of depression is biological and is most easily undone by medication. Nonetheless, there is merit to what the man is saying, especially in cases of mild depression. I'd recommend the book to anyone suffering from depression. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".
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Summary: Timing is Everything....
Review: I came to this book during a very depressed point in my life, hoping to find some encouragement and instruction. What I found was a book heavy on content of the sort a depressed person can feel overwhelmed by. I often had to put the book down and wonder Is there no limit to how messed up things can get? The author says he is aware the book might have that effect on some readers. If youre a sufferer of depression, my advice would be to buy this book and use its suggestions to prevent the illness from running your life. Maybe a disclaimer should be included: If you are seriously depressed now, skim this book and wait until a later time to read it thoroughly.
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Summary: Not your average Self-Helper. A Definite Cut Above
Review: For anyone who has suffered from, is suffering from, or cares for someone suffering from depression, this book is a MUST OWN. Being in one of the above referenced categories, I had heard that this book took a much different approach to what's behind depression. I was NOT disappointed in the least. Rather than tell you how to fix depression, it EXPLAINS depression. Understanding is by far the best tool in most anything to combat this illness. One of the most valuable insights I have taken from this book was on medication. This book deftly explains how the physical manifestations are often not in need of medication to remedy. It delves into aspects of depression I have not seen in an other 'self-help' book. It doesn't provide easy answers, and in some cases, it doesn't provide an answer; it simply gives you the facts about this often misunderstood disease and presents in in a manner that is neither intimidating or discouraging. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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Summary: The part that was left out
Review: Full of tips on how to manage your depression for the rest of your life, by a fellow sufferer. As a personal coach, I'm aware of the high and growing incidence of depression in our society, and wanted to learn what I could do as a coach, and also as a friend, since I cannot dispense medicine or therapy, though I recommend both. I found this book extremely helpful and pragmatic. These are things individuals can work on themselves. Well written, useful information. I'm glad I read it. I feel more useful now to clients and friends who suffer from depression, and have a deeper understanding of what it's like.
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