Customer Reviews

Healing from Depression: Twelve Weeks to a Better Mood

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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A well-written account of coping with very deep depression combined with anxiety and agitation. The author spends a fair amount of time talking about how religion and spirituality played a major role in helping him, so if this is a major turnoff for you for some reason keep that in mind (interestingly he describes himself as having grown up in a middle-class Jewish family but the spiritual awakening he undergoes seems to be within the context of Christianity, although I don't remember if he ever gives more specific descriptions of it along theological lines). He spends the first half of the book talking about his suffering, roughly, and the second half about his recovery program. His prescription for recovery, in rough order of importance, seems to be exercise, spirituality, social support, medication, therapy and diet. (Don't take this as an absolute description it's off the top of my head.)

Also talks some about his struggles to find a long-term inpatient program, and his inability to do so under current insurance schemas (he winds up doing a day program, and recommends it for others.) Is not shy about talking about his own shortcomings, such as his divorce and the fact that he used to write self-help books, but was unable to follow his own advice when struggling with depressive symptoms.

Spends the obligatory amount of time paying lip service to biochemical and genetic theories of mental/emotional distress. Also discusses suicide, both in the context of his own impulse(s) towards that act as well as people close to him who acted upon it (the book is dedicated to one of them).

A useful complement to the genre of personal accounts of psychiatric suffering.

Douglas Bloch has written a clear, thorough and wonderful book. Anyone dealing with depression or who knows someone who is will benefit greatly from the presence of this book. Written with heart and knowledge, this is truly a gem.

Depression is a funk you need to pick oneself out of, but that's easier said than done. "Healing from Depression: A Body, Mind, and Spirit Recovery Program" is a guide for recovery from depression and what one can do to combat one's own problems. Organized as a twelve week self-help program, Douglas Bloch gives readers a fascinating and insightful look at depression and how to lift oneself out of it. With tips on dealing with multiple types from a mild case of the blues to serious thoughts of suicide, "Healing from Depression" is a must read for those who want to heal themselves from their broken spirits.

I read this book as part of my work as an editor for [...] It is definitely one of the best books I've ever read on the topic of depression. So much good information, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to escape the pit and darkness of the depressive experience. Here is a link to my interview with Douglas Bloch, [...]