Other Psychology, Depression & Mood Disorders, Psychological Disorders, Reference - Psychology, Coping & Healing, Self-Improvement, Health - General & Miscellaneous

Getting Your Life Back

Name: Getting Your Life Back
Author: Jesse H. Wright, Monica Ramirez Basco
ISBN: 9780743200509

by Jesse H. Wright, Monica Ramirez Basco

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Overview

In this powerful new self-help program, Wright and Basco show you how to blend the best methods of scientifically tested treatments to win the battle against depression. By following their step-by-step instructions, you will be able to develop a Personal Plan for Recovery that you can use to get well and stay well.

The flexible plan lets you learn about and master the Five Keys to Recovery in the sequence that's best for you. Some people may want to work through all five keys; others may find they are able to achieve the level of health they want with just a few. Whether you learn the self-help strategies of cognitive-behavior therapy, rely on prescription antidepressants, try herbal remedies, work on mending relationships, focus on spiritual growth, or use a combination of methods, the Personal Plan for Recovery is a breakthrough tool that allows you to take control of your own treatment.

Conversational and filled with guided exercises and strategies that work, Getting Your Life Back is an empowering book that maximizes each person's strengths and potential.

About the Author, Jesse H. Wright, Monica Ramirez Basco

Jesse H. Wright, M.D., Ph.D., is professor of psychiatry at the University of Louisville and medical director of the Norton Psychiatric Center. He developed the first multimedia program for computer-assisted therapy of depression and is the founding president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Reading this self-help book is a little like getting a lecture on depression from a friend who cares, but has never endured the illness herself. The authors list five "keys" to understanding and alleviating depression: thinking; taking action; addressing one's biology, relationships and spirit. Each section of the book is devoted to an explanation of how each key plays into depression and written exercises for understanding its role in one's illness. Although the idea of a methodical, step-by-step approach to eliminating depression is appealing, not much here is new or inspiring, and the authors' tone is alternately condescending and chirpy. For example, they advise readers to "try not to get down on yourself"; to "try to lighten up a bit and look for a vein of humor in your situation"; that "the only real way to know whether you can solve a problem is to give it a try"; and that "having questions about your antidepressant therapy is a good sign." Additionally, some of the writing is careless. In a section called, "How not to vent your emotions," the authors suggest, "Don't argue with a cop or your mother-in-law." What about your spouse? The most valuable passages are the stories of specific patients and how they struggled with the illness. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts and our interpretations of events greatly influence our moods. Therapists teach clients to listen to their negative internal dialogs and to use less depressive "self-talk." Clients may also be given "homework" in the form of relaxation exercises for anxiety or gradual acclimatization to frightening situations. The emphasis is on changing thoughts and actions, not on understanding their origins. Getting Your Life Back and Self-Coaching are both based on this approach. The latter, by clinical psychologist Luciani, advises readers to identify themselves as specific personality types (e.g., "Worrywarts," "Hedgehogs," "Perfectionists") and then gives specific instructions on how to change these thought patterns. The title by Wright and Basco, a psychiatrist/educator and a clinical psychologist/researcher, respectively, examines various psychological areas (e.g., thinking, action, biology, relationships, and spirituality) and invites readers to work on these areas in any order with valuable, morale-boosting checklists and examples. Getting Your Life Back is the better of the two because it discusses antidepressants and because the authors' instructions and exercises are much more thorough. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.