Breaking Free from Depression: Pathways to Wellness (The Guilford Self-Help Workbook Series)

This is a great book for people who suffer from depression and who are willing to invest the time to complete the worksheets/exercises. I have worked through the ones that were relevant to me (all the ones on CBT and Mindfulness) and have been pleased with the results.I happened upon this book in the "new release" section of my local library, apparently "hot off the press." I'm so glad I decided to check it out and read it. Realizing I wanted my own copy, I bought it here on amazon. I could not find any bad points with this book. The authors (a father and daughter team--the former an MD/PhD, the latter an MD) speak to the reader in easy to understand (but never oversimplified) language: the book is aimed at a general audience. Terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader are explained in "boxes" throughout the text.The bulk on the book consists of explanations of different types of treatment methods for depression (that the authors refer to a treatment "paths"), along with worksheets/exercises that help one start exploring and benefitting from these paths. (It's OK to skip around to treatment paths that you think might be beneficial--you don't have to go in chapter order.) The book explains and has worksheet/exercises for the following treatment paths:* The Thought-Action Path (a Cognitive-Behavioral Approach) - how to spot, challenge, and change negative thinking; use scheduling to become more active; identify and change negative core beliefs; and build and sustain well-being. I personally found the exercises in the four chapters devoted to this approach very helpful.* The Relationship Path - how relationships can help in one's recovery (or how relationships problems may be a cause of one's depression). Two chapters are devoted to this approach; the other paths are covered in one chapter each.* Antidepressants - how medication works in the brain; the most common ones prescribed; and common side-effects.* Lifestyle Changes - how nutrition, sleep, exercise, etc. affect one's mental state.* Mindfulness - the value of being aware of feelings and thoughts in a non-judgment, accepting way.The authors provide research data on the "success" rates of each of the treatments paths described above, while also pointing out that some approaches may not be sufficient for certain types of depressions--e.g. an individual experiencing a major depressive episode may be unable to benefit from the Mindfulness Path at that time; however, once the person improves (by means of antidepressants and/or talk-therapy), mindfulness may then be beneficial in maintaining one's gains and helping to prevent relapse. A substantial reference section at the end of the book allows you to further explore the paths that you found most helpful.But in order to get the most out of this book, you have to spend the time doing the exercises and worksheets--which are very user-friendly. (You can make copies of blank worksheets in the book or download/print copies). Each chapter is structured so that you can get the most out of doing the exercises. First, a particular treatment path is described in sufficient detail to allow you to complete the worksheets. Next, a worksheet that has been completed by a "client/patient" (we follow several of them through the book) is given as an example. Then, you complete a worksheet on your own. Finally, there are tips to help you if you had problems completing the worksheet. I found this four-step approach highly effective: (1) explanation of the underlying theory of the treatment path; (2) example (using a completed worksheet of a "client") for reference; (3) completing a blank worksheet yourself; and (4) advice on how to try doing the exercise again if you had trouble doing it the first time. This approach helped me get the most out of the worksheets that were relevant to me.To sum up, I found this textbook/workbook to be very useful and user-friendly, and couldn't recommend it highly enough. Hope this review was helpful.

This book has six different treatment modalities to choose from. You can do one, mix and match, or go through the book and try all of them. They even have a chapter that helps you pick which of the next chapters would be most helpful to you. Most of the treatments are evidence based. The book is easy to understand and to break into little bits, which is helpful when your depression is making you easily overwhelmed. I'm finding it to be quite useful.

This workbook is terrific. The authors really know what they are talking about. It is so wonderful to be able to go through the book and find areas that need focus and work there. If a piece of the workbook isn't 'working', you can skip it and move on to another section. It is well-written, intuitive and provides some great examples for filling out the pages. I recommend making photocopies of the workbook pages in case you need to work on that area again!

Many practical ideas and skills to manage depression successfully. Similar to the mindful based cognitive based therapy workbook that came out in 2014.

I love this book. I advise everybody should read this book. This book feeds your emotional needs.Worth reading more than once.

Anyone who is depressed should read this book !

This book is a great self-help resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to treat depression or perhaps is struggling with depression themselves. One of the most impressive features of this book is the large range of information that is provided about the treatment of depression. This book is not limited by adopting a narrow theoretical orientation, but instead provides a wide range of state-of-the-art information that is supported by current research. So this book isn't just a set of opinions but is grounded in depression treatment research. However, this book is not overly technical--it is very approachable and written for an audience without expert knowledge of depression.It starts with an in depth overview of what depression is, how it occurs, and various pathways to overcoming it. A large portion of the book is covers methods for dealing with negative thinking that often accompanies depression, as well as ways to develop more healthy thoughts and behaviors. It also provides helpful information about medication treatment--a really important treatment option that is rarely covered well in many depression self-help books. It then reviews the importance of social relationships and how lifestyle changes can help depression. It concludes with information about spiritual resources and how improving mindfulness may help with depression.Thus, this is a comprehensive and accessible book that covers the best approaches to treating depression. For people who are struggling with depression, this book provides many excellent suggestions and strategies that should help to improve depressed mood. For those who want to learn more about how to treat depression, this book provides an excellent review of the many therapeutic options that are currently available.

this workbook, with counselling and proper medication,is great for someone suffering with depression.it is good to go through without the above the medication or counsellingBut if you havesevere clinical depression this CBT book can be a GREAT helpif you work with your clinician.