Customer Reviews

The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book didn't initially appeal to me, and I had no plans to actually purchase it. The six steps just seemed so obvious to me, and I honestly thought I was doing all six steps already anyway. But, after reading more and more of it online, I grew more appreciative of the wisdom and method of this book, and finally ran out and bought it. I'm really glad I did!

What is so impressive about this book is that it tells you not just the old tropes about sleep hygiene and exercise and blah, blah, Omega 3s, blah... but it gives you a step by step plan for exactly what you should do and how to put it into action, complete with a troubleshooting section at the end. I realized that I actually wasn't doing a lot of things correctly, and, by explaining exactly what has worked for him and his patients, the author allows you to understand how to implement a lot of these habits in your life in a way that might actually help your depression. I didn't know a lot of things about how lightboxes worked or what sort of Omega 3 supplement I should buy. Advice I had gotten in the past was so vague, that I couldn't implement the habits correctly. For instance, many people will say you should buy "quality supplements" or buy a lightbox from a "brand you trust", or whatever, but if you don't know what constitutes a quality supplement or the right sort of lightbox, then it's impossible to choose among the alternatives. This book bravely names names! It says this brand works, look for a fish oil supplement that says this on it, and here is the reason why. That was very helpful for me!

I also like that everything is broken down into simple steps, so if motivation is your problem, there are a lot of ideas about how to get started with a couple easy things first. I don't have much of a problem motivating myself to exercise, but I think that section in particular would be very helpful for someone who does have issues, since it gives lots of different ideas for what to do, and it take surprisingly little exercise, according to this book, to have some antidepressent effects. But there is always room for improvement as well, and some exercise is better than others. That's why I really liked the part in the end about taking your exercise to the next level. This has inspired me to start running everyday, and I'm glad I did!

A quick aside- I didn't know that there were different kinds of Omega 3 supplements, and since I'm a vegetarian, I thought flaxseed oil was sufficient. The author addresses this issue in a really compelling way. Although it is possible to find vegetarian supplements that would meet the criteria for depression, they are just now being developed and are expensive. Simple flaxseed oil is a different kind of Omega 3 that has not been shown in studies to have an effect on depression. Since medical treatment is not optional, I realize that I actually need to make an exception in this case and just buy fish oil instead. I was taking obscene amounts of flaxseed oil in the past, wondering why it never seemed to help me. Maybe that is the reason!

One problem that some people might have with this book is that it does presuppose a basic ability to get out of bed most mornings. If you are in the throes of a deep depression, you will probably not be able to institute most of these practices into your life (but hey, no harm in trying! Right?). It was very easy for me because my depression was already well controlled by my medication, and my main reason for reading the book was to eventually work my way off of the meds. I know when I've been at my worst, survival itself is pretty impossible, just eating and showering are huge burdens, so starting this program would have been difficult. I agree with the author on most points regarding the effectiveness of antidepressants in studies, but it shouldn't be underemphasized that people with very serious depression, not moderate depression, generally stand out in most studies as not being subject to as much of a placebo effect. That is to say, there is a category of people for which meds are indispensible. If that applies to you, seek professional assistance until you get back on your feet, and then you can use all of the advice in this book to prevent a recurrence. But for anyone else, even people who have never had depression, the advice in this book will help you prevent a whole array of health problems, since it is generally encouraging you to live a healthier lifestyle and it is strongly promoting well-being, as opposed to just being symptom free. So it's not just about keeping you alive; it's about enjoying life.

I think, for me, the hardest advice to follow will be the chapters on rumination and socializing. I wish the author would write a whole book on rumination, actually, since I just don't know what else I'm supposed to think about! What would be a good thing to think about? What do normal people think about? But this book does a very good job of explaining how to improve these issues. Again, what I like about it is it breaks it down into small steps, and it tells you exactly what you could do, how to get yourself to be more social, where to look for social contacts, what to do when you catch yourself ruminating, etc.

So, that's all a long way of saying, I'm really glad I read this book. I think this is somewhat of a breakthrough in how we look at mental illness, and it's just great to be treated like an adult who, if given good information, is willing and capable of taking control of my life and my illness. I was put on meds when I was still in high school, so my whole adult life, I've always felt like I was reliant on doctors to alleviate my pain with pills. Maybe I was so desperate to feel better, that the mere alleviation of symptoms took up all of my focus. And unfortunately, I became very addicted to these pills long before I had even reached the age of consent. I realize now that there were so many other options than just medication, and I wish someone like this author had come around back then. For me, it's not only about being depression free or anxiety free... it's also about leading a qualitatively good life, about feeling fulfilled and maybe even happy, about having people for whom I matter, and about kinda making the world a better place. And that's the thing that a doctor has never been able to help me do! I think the answer might lie in this book, and I'm really thankful to the author for writing it!

Dr. Stephen Ilardi has written a highly accessible book that has something to offer everyone, not merely those who suffer from clinical depression. Without stooping to the charlatanism of New Age healers, Ilardi points out that mental and physical health are intimately connected, for reasons connected to our evolutionary heritage. He goes beyond the banal, vacuous advice of 'diet and exercise' to tell us with greater specificity what exactly in our diet (omega-3s), bodily environment (aerobic exercise, sleep) and and external environment (sunshine, close and frequent interpersonal contact) that we need to combat the epidemic of the blues.

The implications of his book are multitudinous and profound: among others, for the role of medication in national health care policy and our attempts to prevent depressive illness - if his work is taken seriously by those in government, the health care system could begin a much-needed movement toward wellness for all and prevention of disease, instead of merely rewarding pharmaceutical companies for campaign donations.

This is the rare book in the field that is useful, not merely for the clinically depressed, but also for those merely suffering from the 'normal blues', or even those just wishing to enhance the well-being of their lives. His TLC program can help just about everyone, and most of its elements are low-cost or free! I believe this book potentially could be prove to be a watershed moment in the very understanding of illness and the goals of medical treatment. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

For the last 7 years I have fought with depression that has gone from mildly inconvenient at times to downright debilitating at other times. I discovered Dr. Ilardi's book after coming off of almost a full week of being unable to even make it out of bed. At that point I had already gone through 3 different types of drugs and was thinking I was going to be moving to another type soon. But that wasn't much hope as each type I tried would work for a few weeks and then I'd be back almost to where I started.

I was able to get together enough energy to read through the first step of TLC (dietary supplement) and make a trip to The Vitamin Shoppe. I started to take the recommended doses of the vitamins and noticed some slight changes in a couple of days. Within a week I was able to make it through the next few sections of the book. I started to notice rumative behavior and redirect it. I put a light box on order. I started doing some light exercise on the exercise bike (after clearing the dust). And I started to feel even better. I eventually made it through the rest of the book and started to record my depression symptoms according to the very helpful survey in the book. The first week I was in the 10-15 range (already a huge drop from where I estimated I was when first starting). The next week I was under 10. And this last week for the first time I can remember since I was in high school, I had ZERO symptoms of depression. This in spite of an extremely stressful week at work.

It's hard to put into words what coming out of depression feels like. All I know is that I feel right now in a way that I thought I'd never be able to again. ANY physician who treats depressed patients needs to be aware of this research. I know I will be making my doctor aware of it the next time I see him... and hopefully save someone else the length of suffering I went through.

"The Depression Cure" is not a pipe dream - this is the real deal.

First, a disclaimer: I am a friend of Dr. Ilardi's, and I have been following the development of his "TLC" (Therapeutic Lifestyle Change) treatment regimen for several years. Having said that, I would not be giving this book five stars if I didn't think it represented a true breakthrough in the treatment of depression.

Dr. Ilardi writes in an intelligent and accessible style; he brings a keen intellect to his academic research and a genuine sense of compassion for his patients and all those who suffer from the scourge of depression. He balances theory and practice, providing practical advice to implement the six steps of his innovative program.

Dr. Ilardi provides compelling evidence for both the efficacy of his own protocol and the ineffectiveness of so many commonly prescribed pharmaceutical and other therapeutic solutions. I believe that readers who have struggled for years with depression (especially those for whom conventional treatments have failed) will benefit greatly from the sound, sage advice contained in this outstanding book.

If you have a friend or loved one who suffers from depression (or if you yourself do), I cannot urge you strongly enough to get a copy of this book for them (or for yourself). It could literally be a life-saving read.

Thank you for this book. I went from a daily "F" grade to a daily "A". If I were wealthy I would have a website where people could get this book for free. It changed my life.

Six simple - yet profound steps, easily implemented and inexpensive. This book is written not only for depressives, but "to" depressives in such a way the information is readily comprehened.

I got a visual of what this book and using the TLC (Theraputic Lifestyle Change) does. I saw an indention in a wall where a door had opened onto it. Each time the door hit the wall (no matter how lightly), it weakened the wall. The wall got thinner with each blow. At some point, it would take very little pressure to poke a hole in the wall.

Move that into the people realm, and it becomes apparent that medication is like a patch...it brings that indention back to a level/smooth state, but it is only a patch. It may look normal, but the wall is still vulnerable. The Depression Cure methods act like a door stop to keep the door from hitting the wall. If you want to protect yourself from depression, adopt the "TLC" -Theraputic Lifestyle Changes...they are simple, yet profound.

This is a very well-written book that I bought after hearing Dr. Ilardi speak on NPR about his research on depression and his use of non-prescription drugs and other methods to decrease depression. His success in helping people fight this condition is quite high, and can even help people who are not clinically depressed, but suffer mood swings such as seasonal affective disorder. In the interests of full disclosure, I am at the same university as Dr. Ilardi, although on a different campus. I have never met him, have no association with his department, nor any other biases towards or against his work. Buy it!

I got this book for my husband, and he has been following the program for about 4 weeks.

He has had a total turn around in his depression... Whereas before he felt overwhelmed and unfocused, he is now happy and excited; engaged and proactive about his life.

I recommend this book to EVERYONE. In 4 weeks of light box use and supplements - with increased exercise and socializing - he's gone from a 30 on the depression scale to a 10.

I had high hopes for this book after hearing Dr Ilardi on the radio.

So I went straight out and bought it. And I've given it a really good go. But you know what, it just doesn't make any difference to me. I'm still as depressed as I was at the start.

I have (over a 9 month period) done a lot of exercise, eaten really well, slept as much as I can, taken the supplements, used a light box, increased my social activities and tried to stop thinking negative thoughts. This is all very time consuming and non trivial. Especially when there are no positive results that come from all of this.

I have several criticisms of the book. Firstly for those of us living in different countries, we just can't get the supplements and light boxes suggested in the book. Try getting Amazon to ship a light box overseas.

So I've had to buy different brands. I did get a light box which is supposed to be a good one. And with the supplements, the ones that are the best I could find in the quantities nearest those prescribed.

The second thing I'd say is that if anyone can sleep well, eat well, get lots of exercise, have meaningful work and social lives and not sit around thinking depressive thoughts, well they wouldn't be depressed would they? So it's a vicious circle. In fact the whole theory put forward by this book is circuitous. If you are in fact depressed, then you probably can't follow this plan. And if you can (or already are doing these things) then you aren't depressed.

The third area I'd like to address is the fact that the book states it only works for 80% of patients. That is a good number and I'm truly glad for those whom this book helps. 80% is a hell of a lot better than nothing. But it leaves those of us in the other 20% feeling that much more hopeless. We've tried this and gee whiz, whaddya know? It doesn't work. Just another 'cure' that fails.

When Dr Iladi was on the radio, he expressed discomfort at the title of the book. This was really the publishers idea. I guess a book called "The Depression Cure" will sell better than a book entitled "The Depression Helper" or "The Depression Cure for Some People". But at the end of the day he's accepted the title and so

Lastly I'd like to address the trouble shooting section. This basically says there could be many things that are causing the depression to continue. And then there are the other things like having a TLC coach, doing even more exercise and taking even more Omega 3, even more Vitamin D and on and on and on. And at this point I basically gave up.

Two of the extra things to try to avoid are stress and sugar. Well thanks for that, wow, how many people living in a westernised society today have little or no stress? Try running a business through the GFC and raising young kids and not having stress!

And cutting out sugar? And things like bread and crackers that quickly break down into sugars? Man. Again, very hard to do in a westernised society when sugar is in many many foods including bread, meat, virtually all snacks, sauces, mayonnaises, beverages and so on. Try going out for dinner and consuming no sugar. Not easy.

So all in all, this book makes some very big 'asks' of it's readership. And I think while anyone can do some of these things, many people who are depressed would struggle to do all 6 of them. And almost none would manage the last 2 (stress and sugar reduction).

So if you haven't tried it, this book is definitely worth a go. It might work. But it's definitely not a 100% cure.

I just finished reading this book. It is hard to express how simple and insightful the book is. Everything flows together and makes so much sense...and it seems all of this should have been realized earlier. A co-worker of mine let me borrow this book after I saw him bring it in and I read a page or two out of it. It was immediately interesting to me. I'm not depressed, but just as the book states, it can be used as a general guide to well being. I have read other similar books, but nothing really compares to this one. I have started implementing some of the elements of this program, and it is very easy and simple. The aspect of the book I found most interesting is the logic behind the program. The basic premise is that our bodies are programmed like the old hunter-gatherer societies, and not for this society we are living in today. This article explains the premise better: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/news/psychologist-seeks-stone-age-solutions-to-depression/menu-id-68/. Again, a very insightful, knowledgeable, and easy to read book. It doesn't leave you without the link to putting it into practice like many other books do. It seems like he acknowledges every counter argument you can think of while reading it. Very good read.