Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (Paperback)

by David D. Burns (Author) "Depression has been called the world's number one public health problem..." (more)
Key Phrases: noradrenergic syndrome, hyperpyretic crisis, serotonin pump, United States, Pleasure-Predicting Sheet, Myth Number (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A book to read and re-read!" -- -- Los Angeles Times

Product Description

Feeling Good
Feels Wonderful

The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs! In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life:

Recognize what causes your mood swings

Nip negative feelings in the bud

Deal with guilt

Handle hostility and criticism

Overcome addiction to love and approval

Beat "do-nothingism"

Avoid the painful downward spiral of depression

Build self-esteem

The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs! In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Rev Upd edition (April 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380731762
• ISBN-13: 978-0380731763
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (229 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

422 of 439 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Self-Help Books, July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for many years and have read just about every type of book imaginable. The only reason I'm writing this review is that I found this book to be the best overall work I have ever read in the realm of self-help psychology.

One of the greatest parts about the book is that Dr. Burns' model of cognitive behavioral therapy is very thorough, yet it is easy to understand and incorporate into one's daily living. He recommends cognitive behavioral therapy as the first line defense in dealing with mood disorders. However, the beauty of the book lies in the fact that Dr. Burns does not simply dismiss psychotropic medications. He clearly states that medications in addition to his therapeutic techniques are wholly appropriate for many people. In fact, it this updated edition he goes into detail about the different classes and types of drug options available on the market today. This approach is refreshing for someone who is benefitting from the use of medication and wanting to incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy into their recovery without having to read a book which outright dismisses the role of medication in treatment.

Also of special significance is his list of 10 'Cognitive Distortions'. Here, he lays out a plan for recognizing faulty thinking, how these thoughts affect our moods, and how to correct these distortions.

In summation, Dr. Burns' book is a practical encapsulation of the ideas and theories of some of the great pioneers in the field of mental health such as Drs. Abraham Low, Albert Ellis, and Aaron Beck.

If you made it this far to decide whether or not to buy this book, read some of the other reviews then put it in your cart.

131 of 134 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of its kind, November 23, 2002

By	Brian Merrick (Cedar Falls, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated (Mass Market Paperback)

This book explains CBT in a very simple an easy to read fashion. It was the first Burns book (he has several), and so doesn't contain all the exercises that he developed later. I own all the books and use them in my own therapy and also when dealing with clients. These techniques work. When incorporated correctly and dilligently followed, I believe anyone can benefit from these concepts. CBT is quite simple really. Your moods are created by your thoughts and how you view your world. Change the thoughts and your are on your way to managing your moods.

One important note: Burns makes it time and time again in this book and the other books he has written. YOU MUST DO THE WRITTEN EXERCISES!! Otherwise you probably won't get it. Intellectual internalization by reading is not enough. You may learn a little but probably not enough to change your behavior or your moods. CBT is the leading technique in treating depression today.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Logic and Positive Thinking, May 11, 2001

By	Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated (Mass Market Paperback)

As a counsellor, I am quite familiar with the use of Cognitive Therapy, not only in treating depression, but as a means of bringing balance and harmony to one's life, depressed or not. Cognitive Therapy is based on mood modification - a principle one can use on their own to eliminate symptoms and achieve personal growth. "Feeling Good" is aimed at ridding ourselves of negative thinking, that which holds us stagnant and inhibits personal growth. Even if you are on medication for depression, you can still use the principles outlined in this book as a form of self-help. Through these pages, the author will help the reader to understand why you feel as you do, the power of positive thinking, how to develop self-control and how you can change through mood modification. The book is quite lengthy and certainly not a book one should speed read. To maximum its use, one should read, digest and absorb the material slowly and attentively. It is an excellent self-help book written in a style that is easily understood by the layperson; you do not need a course in psychology to understand its meaning.