The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low  self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without  drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D.,  outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will  immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on  life. Now, in this updated edition, Dr. Burns adds an All-New  Consumer′s Guide To Anti-depressant Drugs as well as a new introduction  to help answer your questions about the many options available for  treating depression. - Recognise what causes your mood swings - Nip  negative feelings in the bud - Deal with guilt - Handle hostility and  criticism - Overcome addiction to love and approval - Build self-esteem -  Feel good everyday
This review is from: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (Mass Market Paperback)
I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for many years and have  read just about every type of book imaginable. The only reason I'm  writing this review is that I found this book to be the best overall  work I have ever read in the realm of self-help psychology.
One of the greatest parts about the book is that Dr. Burns' model of  cognitive behavioral therapy is very thorough, yet it is easy to  understand and incorporate into one's daily living. He recommends  cognitive behavioral therapy as the first line defense in dealing with  mood disorders. However, the beauty of the book lies in the fact that  Dr. Burns does not simply dismiss psychotropic medications. He clearly  states that medications in addition to his therapeutic techniques are  wholly appropriate for many people. In fact, it this updated edition he  goes into detail about the different classes and types of drug options  available on the market today. This approach is refreshing for someone  who is benefitting from the use of medication and wanting to incorporate  cognitive behavioral therapy into their recovery without having to read  a book which outright dismisses the role of medication in treatment.
Also of special significance is his list of 10 'Cognitive Distortions'.  Here, he lays out a plan for recognizing faulty thinking, how these  thoughts affect our moods, and how to correct these distortions.
In summation, Dr. Burns' book is a practical encapsulation of the ideas  and theories of some of the great pioneers in the field of mental  health such as Drs. Abraham Low, Albert Ellis, and Aaron Beck.
If you made it this far to decide whether or not to buy this book, read some of the other reviews then put it in your cart.