You Can Beat Depression: A Guide to Prevention & Recovery [Paperback]

John Preston (Author), Dr. John Preston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Newly revised and updated, this edition of the most readable book on depression helps readers assess and understand their own conditions, as it guides them to appropriate treatment, whether it be self-help or professional. New material on chronic and recurrent depression and relapse prevention, brief therapy, Prozac and other medications, and non-medical approaches is included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a succinct, comprehensive account of the causes, treatments, and manifestations of depression..." -- Arnold A. Lazarus, Ph.D.

"...an easy to read, practical guide for individuals and family members coping with depression." -- Michael M. Faenza, President and CEO, National Mental Health Association

"...brief, clear, to the point, highly readable... I recommend it..." -- A. John Rush, M.D., University of Texas Medical Center

"An excellent self-help guide... could help anyone beat the blues quickly and effectively." -- American Library Association BOOKLIST

"Clear; easily understandable approach to depression that the average reader will find very helpful." -- Albert Ellis, Ph.D. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

If you read only one book on depression, this should be it. This concise-yet-comprehensive book is an ideal resource for individuals who are emotionally depressed and want to "get better," friends and relatives of depressed persons, psychotherapy clients who want to enhance the effectiveness of therapy for depression, serious readers of self-help and self-improvement, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Impact Pub; 2nd edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886230021
• ISBN-13: 978-1886230026
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,758,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Preston, Psy.D is professor emeritus with Alliant International University in Sacramento, CA and formerly with the University of California, Davis School of Medicine and the Professional School of Psychology, San Francisco. He is the author of 21 books covering topics such as: psychopharmacology, neurobiology, psychotherapy, spirituality and emotional healing. His books have been translated into 14 foreign languages. He is the author of "Drugs in Psychiatry" chapter in the "Encyclopedia Americana". Dr. Preston has presented over 500 invited talks during the past 25 years, speaking in the USA, Canada, Europe, Africa and Russia.
His strength is presenting complex information in an easy to understand way.
He is recipient of the "President's Award" from the Mental Health Association and "Distinguished Contributions to Psychology Award" from the California Psychological Association.

On a personal note, like other fellow human beings I have encountered significant emotional tragedies in my life, and hope that my books can make a difference in the lives of professionals as well as those who also suffer the difficulties of navigating through difficult times and emotional illnesses.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy beacon to follow, November 9, 2004

By 

Cricket in the Corner (Virtual North Woods) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Beat Depression: A Guide To Prevention & Recovery, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

If you're suffering from depression or know someone who is, this slender resource is a quick read packed with solidly researched info and advice. Preston makes it immediately clear he understands the horrible apathy and inertia of depression, structuring his expertise in small bites that are easy to digest. It takes very little effort or energy to find a nugget of help or hope in this book that might literally be enough to save a life. If you're not sure where to turn, if you're feeling helpless, this clearly written, compassionate guide is an excellent place to start finding your way out of darkness.

The focus is on understanding depression and its various subtypes, relieving it as quickly as possible, restoring a sense of personal power, and preventing relapse. Preston deftly guides readers through the process of determining which of several methods he briefly describes might work best for them, identifying circumstances that respond well to self-help and those that demand professional intervention. His review of medications is up to date and straightforward, and his admonition to readers to be patient with their prescribed regimen is a responsibly reiterated point. Dr. Preston emphasizes the hopeful points of each therapeutic mode and gently mobilizes readers to be active partners in their own recovery.

Simple exercises for defining and tracking depressive symptoms and behaviors help draw specific battle lines for what might otherwise be an overwhelming enemy. The coping skills Preston teaches can be absorbed as second-nature reflexes for staying on an emotional even keel long after you finish reading the text. You can track your own progress with the checklists he suggests, adjusting your approach where necessary and monitoring your improvement. No effort toward reaffirming life is too small to be noted as a victory. This warm, reassuring book underscores the choices we all have in how we respond to events in our lives, and offers realistic options for a highly treatable condition. See the light for yourself.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maintain a realistic perception of your life and yourself, September 12, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Beat Depression: A Guide to Prevention & Recovery (Third Edition) (Paperback)

Clinical psychologist John Preston reveals that clinical depression differs from normal sadness in five distinct ways: depression is more intensely painful, last longer, interferes with normal day-to-day functioning, is destructive, and is often a cluster of symptoms involving problems in social interaction, behavior, thinking, and biological functioning. In You Can Beat Depression: A Guide To Prevention & Recover: 3rd Edition, Dr. Preston recommends a series of self- help actions to promote emotional healing when afflicted by clinical depression: accept that it is normal to have painful feelings; express your feelings to at least one other person; stay in contact with supportive friends and/or relatives; maintain a realistic perception of your life and yourself; engaging in problem solving which promotes growth. This guide will enable readers to recognize when and how to help themselves (and when to turn to professionals for treatment). Also offered is an up-to-date consumer guide to medications; material on the prevention of depression; brief therapy interventions, exercise, and other non-medical approaches. If you suffer from clinical depression, or know of someone who does, then give a careful reading to John Preston's You Can Beat Depression.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can beat depression, September 27, 2004

By 

Jim S (Upstate, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Beat Depression: A Guide to Prevention & Recovery (Third Edition) (Paperback)

I believe the book answers most of the questions people have when diagnosed with depression.

Dr. Preston wrote three chapters explaining the many causes of depression. He believes that making sense out of what caused our depression can improve our chances for recovery.

The author includes existential losses as a cause. One of these is the disillusionment or loss of a dream. This often starts when one finally loses hope for a change in our life.

Although brief, the book covers many treatments including self-help, exercise, cognitive therapy, and journaling. His chapters on contolling our negative thoughts are excellent.