Posted by Adam on September 29, 1999, at 17:59:17
In reply to Undoing Depression...?, posted by dj on September 28, 1999, at 21:08:43
Change is incredibly hard. Working to change, especially when your outlook is hopeless only adds to the
burden, but I think it is true: Self-help is a big part of healing. It's not at all fair (if someone had
a broken leg, no one would tell that person to fix it themselves). But it's largely up to us to make the
changes happen, and it is a difficult task.
> Just came across this review on the indigo books web site http://www.indigo.ca and thought it might be of interest to some folks on the babble circuit...
>
> Publishers Weekly Book Review
>
> Psychotherapist and family counselor O'Connor attempts in his first book to bridge the chasm between the various approaches to treating depression--including medication, psychotherapy and self-help. Emphasizing the complexity of this state, which "is not a feeling, but the inability to feel," O'Connor suggests that a combination of approaches is necessary for full long-term recovery, explains the role of each approach and then focuses on the often overlooked role of self-help. Claiming that depressives have learned inappropriate skills for coping with their affliction and simply don't know how to replace them, he addresses five main areas in which new habits can be practiced: thinking, feeling, behavior, relationships and self-image. Calling upon both his clinical and personal experiences with depression, O'Connor warns that "Recovery from depression is hard work." Adding that working hard to change habits and fully recover is better than working hard to hide and/or manage depression, he lists 12 clear principles for recovery, including feeling feelings, communicating directly, cultivating intimacy and practicing detachment. O'Connor also dispels some myths (that depression is an emotion; that children can't experience depression), and imparts a sense of urgency for both depressives and mental health professionals to understand and treat all aspects of the growing "epidemic of depression." Readers will find this an uncommonly thorough and useful guide to overcoming a painful disease. (Nov.)
poster:Adam
thread:12221
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/12263.html