Getting Your Life Back: The Complete Guide to Recovery from Depression (Paperback)

~ Jesse Wright (Author), (Author) "crashing down around her. Everything she believed in had failed her..." (more)
Key Phrases: personal plan for recovery, other new antidepressants, other newer antidepressants, Biology Key, Anne Marie, Relationship Key (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Reading this self-help book is a little like getting a lecture on depression from a friend who cares, but has never endured the illness herself. The authors list five "keys" to understanding and alleviating depression: thinking; taking action; addressing one's biology, relationships and spirit. Each section of the book is devoted to an explanation of how each key plays into depression and written exercises for understanding its role in one's illness. Although the idea of a methodical, step-by-step approach to eliminating depression is appealing, not much here is new or inspiring, and the authors' tone is alternately condescending and chirpy. For example, they advise readers to "try not to get down on yourself"; to "try to lighten up a bit and look for a vein of humor in your situation"; that "the only real way to know whether you can solve a problem is to give it a try"; and that "having questions about your antidepressant therapy is a good sign." Additionally, some of the writing is careless. In a section called, "How not to vent your emotions," the authors suggest, "Don't argue with a cop or your mother-in-law." What about your spouse? The most valuable passages are the stories of specific patients and how they struggled with the illness.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts and our interpretations of events greatly influence our moods. Therapists teach clients to listen to their negative internal dialogs and to use less depressive "self-talk." Clients may also be given "homework" in the form of relaxation exercises for anxiety or gradual acclimatization to frightening situations. The emphasis is on changing thoughts and actions, not on understanding their origins. Getting Your Life Back and Self-Coaching are both based on this approach. The latter, by clinical psychologist Luciani, advises readers to identify themselves as specific personality types (e.g., "Worrywarts," "Hedgehogs," "Perfectionists") and then gives specific instructions on how to change these thought patterns. The title by Wright and Basco, a psychiatrist/educator and a clinical psychologist/researcher, respectively, examines various psychological areas (e.g., thinking, action, biology, relationships, and spirituality) and invites readers to work on these areas in any order with valuable, morale-boosting checklists and examples. Getting Your Life Back is the better of the two because it discusses antidepressants and because the authors' instructions and exercises are much more thorough.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Free Press (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743200500
• ISBN-13: 978-0743200509
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,639 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and action-oriented, January 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting Your Life Back: The Complete Guide to Recovery from Depression (Hardcover)

I am quite grateful for this book, which actually helped me organize my thoughts, get them down on paper, and turn them into a plan for action for working on my depression. The book's focus on taking action was really the key for me, as I imagine it could be for other people experiencing depression. For many years, I was mired in thoughts of my depression and loneliness and felt completely stuck. Within a few days of reading the book and completing the exercises in the opening chapters, I was able to accomplish a few small things that had been really worrying me, and I gradually started to make progress in getting my life back together again.

Like another reviewer, I was also surprised by the Publisher's Weekly review posted above and disagree with much of the author's assessment of the book. If you are depressed and feel like you've been going around in circles about daily issues like paying the bills or larger issues about finding meaning in the life you lead, this book might also help you find a way to assess your situation and begin to relieve symptoms of depression. While no book is a cure and any approach to addressing depression requires a strong personal commitment, the authors of this book have really helped me, someone who has suffered from depression for more than 10 years. I thank them very much.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Informative Ever!, May 13, 2001

By	elinorbethdavidson (Sunnyvale, Texas (near Dallas)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Your Life Back: The Complete Guide to Recovery from Depression (Hardcover)

As a person with long-standing problems and treatment of depression, I found this by far the most thorough and useful discussion of depression ever. It is excellent writing from warm, caring, down-to-earth-sounding professionals who do not seem to feel that they are All-Powerful. The authors certainly give the readers all the tools needed to help themselves and to seek and follow professional help when needed. In my opinion, this book should be a textbook for all medical students, whatever their specialty, as well as psychology students, seminary students, and anyone in the "helping" professions.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful & inspirational book, April 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting Your Life Back: The Complete Guide to Recovery from Depression (Hardcover)

After reading your Publisher Weekly's Editotrial review, I felt compelled to write my exprerience with this book which was totally different than what your reviewer suggested. I found that "Getting Your Life Back" provided me with a number of personal insights, and a better understanding of the many paths and simple tools that can be used to fight depression. It is any easy read and is also particulary helpful for someone who must deal with a family member or loved one who suffers from this terrible condition. Mike Wallace's endorsement and past history with depression led me to purchase this book.