Overcoming Depression A Step-by-Step Approach to Gaining Control Over Depression

by Gilbert, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780195143119
• ISBN10: 0195143116
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-24
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

St. John's Wort, Prozac, psychotherapy, support groups--today's individual suffering from depression has a laundry list of treatments to choose from. For many, Paul Gilbert's self-help manual Overcoming Depression--based on the highly effective technique of cognitive behavioral therapy--will provide a lifeline to recovery and a better future, as a way to understand and thus resist the downward slide of depression, and as a resource to supplement therapy or medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which treats emotional disorders by changing negative thought-patterns, is now internationally established as a key method for overcoming conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and eating disorders. The principle behind this form of therapy is that our thoughts have a major impact on our emotions: a person who goes through life thinking "I am unlovable," or "I'll never achieve anything," will find constant evidence to support his or her beliefs. In Overcoming Depression, Gilbert explains the many forms and causes of depression and lays out clinically proven techniques for dealing with this debilitating condition. This book will help people gain insight into problem areas such as perfectionism, shame, anger, and aggression, and how these areas can become exacerbated by depression. Overcoming Depression illustrates a systematic program of treatment by which people can monitor their thoughts, learn to recognize negative patterns, and challenge them. With step-by-step suggestions, case examples, thought-monitoring sheets, and practical ideas for gaining control over depression, Gilbert offers a course of action for those suffering from depression to change the way they think about themselves and their problems. The Second Edition of Overcoming Depression presents new statistics and findings from the last three years, and offers new chapters on causes for depression including "Biology and Stress," "How Evolution May Have Shaped Depression," and "Early Life, Psychological and Social Aspects." In a new chapter on guilt Gilbert differentiates between guilt and shame, and examines the relationship between guilt and depression and how to deal with those who make us feel guilty. Finally, a new preface and a new brief discussion of St. John's Wort complete the text.

Author Biography

Paul Gilbert has over twenty years of experience treating depressed people. He is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and Head of Specialty, Adult Mental Health for the Southern Derbyshire Mental Health Trust.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Foreword	ix
Introduction	xiii
Preface to the Revised Edition	xvii
Preface to the First Edition	xix
PART I: Understanding Depression
What is Depression?	3	(9)
Causes of Depression: Biology and Stress	12	(17)
Causes of Depression: How Evolution May Have Shaped Depression	29	(19)
Causes of Depression: Early Life, Psychological and Social Aspects	48	(21)
PART II: Learning How to Cope
Initial Steps	69	(15)
Thoughts and Feelings	84	(15)
Challenging Negative Thoughts and Feelings	99	(22)
Styles of Negative Thinking	121	(18)
Self-Bullying and How to Challenge it	139	(17)
Calling Ourselves Names: How Negative Labels Affect US	156	(15)
Further Methods of Challenge Negative Thoughts	171	(16)
PART III: Special Problems Associated with Depression
Approval, Subordination and Bullying	187	(23)
Confronting Shame	210	(24)
Coping with Guilt and Caring Too Much	234	(29)
Coping with Anger	263	(21)
From Anger to Assertiveness and Forgiveness	284	(18)
Dealing with Frustration, Disappointment and Lost Ideals	302	(18)
Perfectionism and Competitiveness or How the Secret of Success is the Ability to Fail	320	(23)
Summing Up	343	(5)
Appendix 1: Monitoring and Challenging Your Thoughts	348	(7)
Appendix 2: Quick Guides	355	(8)
Appendix 3: Antidepressants	363	(6)
Appendix 4: Useful Books and Addresses	369	(5)
Index	374	(9)
Extra Monitoring Sheets	383