Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Fantastic introduction to CBT March 12, 2007
This was the first book I read for my first therapy practicum as a doctoral student and it provided a rock-solid foundation for cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization and treatment planning. Provided that you already have good basic clinical skills (or are learning them elsewhere), this book is all you need to get started doing CBT.
 book February 13, 2007
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is more of a text book than anything. Not a book for self help. It is a bit wordy and is sometimes needlessly convoluted.
Gives cause and cure for depression January 18, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Cognitive Therapy of Depression by Beck, A., A. Rush, B. Shaw, and G. Emert
1979. Guilford Press, NY This rather long, very detailed book is meant for professionals. However, many who suffer from depression can relate to much of what is described, especially in several chapters. This book was written in 1979 and many ideas we read about in self-help books originally came from these authors. It is widely accepted that Cognitive Therapy can control depression at least as good as antidepressants, and without all the chemical side effects that often occur. A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry revealed that many people stop taking their meds due to side effects and that medication often does not work especially the first time. Cognitive Therapy is a bright light for us depressives who do not get relief from medication or who suffer terrible side effects.
In a chapter entitled "Focus on Target Symptoms" we are given methods that can quickly alleviate the disabling parts of depression. Contrary to what many believe, prolong discussion of feelings can intensify the feelings. Such excessive "ventilation" of feelings often strains relationships with friends and relatives. To deal with "overwhelming problems" the patient could be asked what solutions he would offer to another person in a similar situation. Although depressed patients do sleep less than other people, many patients exaggerate the extent of the insomnia. If a person said he was awake all night, he was probably in a light sleep for a good part of the time. Depressed persons tend to make broad categorical judgments and show a typical all-or-nothing response to bad events. A good exercise is to try to list some possible benefits.
Of particular help is the chapter entitled "Depressogenic Assumptions." Depression is mostly a thinking disease. Cognitive therapy aims to correct negative thought patterns. This chapter goes to great depth explaining the many faulty beliefs that depressives cling to. Everyone with depressive moods will find themselves written about here. People who suffer frequent bouts of depression often hold high expectations for themselves; they believe that to be happy they must never make a mistake, must be accepted by all people at all times, and/or must be successful in whatever they attempt. These beliefs were acquired from childhood experiences or from the attitudes and opinions of peers or parents. A part of cognitive therapy is to identify the chief assumptions that lead people into depression. The patient must be actively involved in discovering these depression-producing ideas, simply pointing out dysfunctional thought processes is not effective. It must be noted that sometimes people have periods where their expectations are working; for example they may make the starting football team or make the cut for cheerleader. When experiencing success, the person is exuberant and becomes bonded to the idea of seeking high levels of success in order to be happy. To ensure high performance, that is to be larger than life, the depressive often develops many shoulds and rules of living.
Many people have belief systems organized around "justice" and "deserving." These sometimes work well, but the depressive goes overboard. One might believe that if one worked hard one should always succeed. However, how hard should one work? Also, what exactly is success? What does it mean to be good? One series of thoughts to understand this is given as: "When someone says, 'Dr. So-and-So is good,' what does that mean? Does it mean he is good in all realms of a medical doctor, or in special areas? Does it mean that he is a good clinician? Is he good with patients? Is he good at research? Is he good at emergencies? Or does it mean he is a good husband, father, neighbor, church member, and bridge player?"
Depressives need to train their minds at looking for alternative ways of viewing situations. Fairness is often a matter of personal opinion or bias. "The employee believes, 'I do the work around here. I produce the product. I should receive more money. It's not fair.'--while the owner believes. 'I produce the capital. I invested it. I took the risk. I should get more money instead of having to give it to workers.' In nearly ever case, fairness can be looked at from two or more points of view."
This book is not a quick, easy read. Rather, it is detailed and thought provoking. Some of us people with depression need thought-provoking ideas instead of simple instructions. If you worry and think a lot, you will love this book--but it might cause you to change your opinions and lose your depression.
Thinking Through Depression January 12, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Beck's approach to treatment of depression is both innovative and of long standing value. Opening the book to any page I find examples readily useable for group and individual therapy. Clearly written and easily understood. Excellent for all psychiatric related professionals. Readily able to be used by all levels of caregivers.
Keeps on ticking............... August 20, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought and read this book many years ago and found it very helpful. I read it again a few weeks ago and was again able to appreciate it's value. Aside from the dated research, and some of the debate regarding the use of anti-depressants, it remains as fresh and powerful and relevant today as it was when it was published. It is definitely a giant step in taking the mystery out of depression and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn more about the nature and treatment of this illness.
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