Customer Reviews

Treatment for Chronic Depression: Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP)

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This is one of the few books about depression treatment that is very specifically about chronic depression. Chronic depression here includes minor depression alone, major depression that never ends, and a variety of combinations of major and minor depression that all fall into the chronic category. Functional (or dysfunctional) similarities between early and late onset types are illustrated. McCullough explains the unique pathology of this version of depression and explains why classic cognitive therapy does not work on it all that well. He lays out an interesting theory of just where cognitive development goes awry in patients like us that to me feels organically true. This developmental screw-up can lead to a lifetime of unconscious behavioral and interpersonal crap that does not correct itself spontaneously, ever.

Most of the book is a manual for therapists in this strictly yet humanely thought out program that has elements of all the therapy types known to be helpful in depression. CBASP, pronounced "SEE-basp", should be more available than it is right now. The author is clearly experienced and kind and patient and wise. Maybe if more of us patients wave this book around we can get more therapists to see that chronic depression is quite a different beast than intermittent depression, that it is qualitatively different for treatment purposes, and that it apparently is curable after all.

Treatment for Chronic Depression covers the cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy, a research-based approach designed to help patients change and develop problem-solving and life skills. Chapters advocate this treatment, citing statistics which show it superior to medicine-based treatments and including case histories which bring clinical experiences alive. An important inspection of a new concept in treating depression.

Until we have a health care system that pays for such treatment, it will only be available to the rich. Given that most of us struggling with chronic depression have spotty work histories and financial problems, it is extremely unlikely that those who most need this kind of therapy will get it. I've had a lifetime of self-rationing medical care, because of the lack of parity for mental health services. Therapists and psychiatrists need to stop writing books and start working toward the political change that would make treatment available to those with chronic depression. Otherwise, your theories are worthless except for a small handful of well-off individuals.

While the book is excellent and a significant work in advancing the field of the treatment of chronic depression, it is NOT co-authored by Marvin R. Goldfried. Marvin Goldfried only wrote the forward to the book. The book is a sole authorship by James P. McCullough. Additionally, the copyright date is 2000, not 1999 as stated in the advertisement.

Tarynn M. Witten, Ph.D., FGSA