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vivian_munich's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended to me earlier this year, and I was dragging my feet to read a 700-page long self-help book. Guess what, it was a pleasant surprise and I do find the cognitive psychotherapy methods useful & sustainable to calm me down in times of self-doubts and anxieties (and diligently printed out the ten cognitive distortions and double-column technique tables). The timing was also perfect - a few months ago I might not have been so perceptive to such ideas.
I didn't like the tone of Burns sometimes, a bit too patronizing and self-congratulatory. But considering this book was first published in 1980, I'll let it pass. Oh, and don't dread the 700ish pages, 1/4 is appendix and 1/4 is just about antidepressant drugs that I flipped over gladly.
I didn't like the tone of Burns sometimes, a bit too patronizing and self-congratulatory. But considering this book was first published in 1980, I'll let it pass. Oh, and don't dread the 700ish pages, 1/4 is appendix and 1/4 is just about antidepressant drugs that I flipped over gladly.
lunderwhatsen's review against another edition
5.0
My therapist suggested this book and it was a pleasant surprise at how enjoyable it was. Most books such as these make me roll my eyes because it always feels like they’re trying to put people in neat boxes. This one is very forgiving of everyone’s unique circumstances and well written. I’m looking forward to receiving this style of therapy treatment soon. I’m a goal oriented person and this doctor gives you worksheets and activities that suit people like me.
lupefiasco7's review against another edition
4.0
Chocked full of actionable advice, this book laso contains a lot of common sense wisdom that is bolstered by credibility and research. It was written with a crystal clear prose that is probably very close to the voice Burns has when he talks to patients in his practice. The biggest takeaway for me was the list of cognitive distortions in Ch 3, and the application of their identification in the Two-column technique of Ch. 4.
However, I was delightfully surprised by parts of the book that went further. Specifically the chapters on anger surprised me. It seemed all too simpatico to the idea of tactical empathy in Never Split the Difference to be a coincidence (Voss of course would have taken inspiration from Burns, writing his book 35 years later).
While all the chapters had something new to offer, some were more “fluffy” than others. That, and addition to the book having a really poor structure, made me take off a star.
However, Burns seems like a wonderful man, and it is the simplicity of his words and the authenticity of his voice that allow his important suggestions to be received with warmth and optimism.
However, I was delightfully surprised by parts of the book that went further. Specifically the chapters on anger surprised me. It seemed all too simpatico to the idea of tactical empathy in Never Split the Difference to be a coincidence (Voss of course would have taken inspiration from Burns, writing his book 35 years later).
While all the chapters had something new to offer, some were more “fluffy” than others. That, and addition to the book having a really poor structure, made me take off a star.
However, Burns seems like a wonderful man, and it is the simplicity of his words and the authenticity of his voice that allow his important suggestions to be received with warmth and optimism.
ramonnogueras's review against another edition
5.0
EL LIBRO contra la depresión. Y no hay otro como este.
niinjah's review against another edition
5.0
It is a self-help book, but it`s so easy to read, practical and helpful! I can recommend it as a clinical psychologist:)
thestarman's review against another edition
5.0
[2008 version, paperback]
VERDICT: 5 stars. To date, one of the most useful books I've read on the subject of depression. Mostly covers non-pharmaceutical approaches (basically, cognitive behavioral therapy or similar/tangential treatments), and later touches on the commonly used pharmaceuticals.
There's a lot to take in here, so don't rush through it. I liked the specific patient examples, and how the author didn't mind revealing "mistakes" he's made in the past with patients suffering from depression.
Note: there are likely newer, updated versions out there. The 2008 one I read was good, but some of the pharmaceutical info was already slightly dated when I read it around 2010.
PS: I had 2 copies of this book. Both were "borrowed" by friends who were interested. I never saw either copy again, so I suppose that's an endorsement of sorts.
VERDICT: 5 stars. To date, one of the most useful books I've read on the subject of depression. Mostly covers non-pharmaceutical approaches (basically, cognitive behavioral therapy or similar/tangential treatments), and later touches on the commonly used pharmaceuticals.
There's a lot to take in here, so don't rush through it. I liked the specific patient examples, and how the author didn't mind revealing "mistakes" he's made in the past with patients suffering from depression.
Note: there are likely newer, updated versions out there. The 2008 one I read was good, but some of the pharmaceutical info was already slightly dated when I read it around 2010.
PS: I had 2 copies of this book. Both were "borrowed" by friends who were interested. I never saw either copy again, so I suppose that's an endorsement of sorts.
flavourlessquark's review against another edition
4.0
First two parts are an excellent read on the theory of cognitive psychology and I would recommend them to everyone. Latter parts are more specific and deal with various ways of fighting depression. While overall the book is really good (especially considering how shitty most books on psychology are), towards the end it gets a little stale as the same things are repeated a lot.
jcinf's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
So many actionable “activities” in this book. Absolutely invaluable resource. And not too over-the-too sciencey either. Very easy to digest the information presented in this book.
The author was also writing in a way that was just encouraging enough without being pushy. He got me to challenge my thinking/behavior patterns without making feel ashamed. I felt perfectly supported by this book.
The author was also writing in a way that was just encouraging enough without being pushy. He got me to challenge my thinking/behavior patterns without making feel ashamed. I felt perfectly supported by this book.
blert's review against another edition
5.0
First ever "real" self help book so by default the best I have ever read.
In all seriousness, there's some excellent exercises in this book. I picked this up on a whim when I looked and felt incredibly incredibly awful. Every time I read it, I started feeling good about myself. I'm gonna admit that having that oppressive veil of depression lift and being told that my way of thinking is not actually reality all the time really gave me some relief, and this book continued (and is continuing) to help me through some very difficult times. I think I'll keep re-reading it and doing the exercises to the best of my ability. The length of this book never even crossed my mind because I really was hanging on almost every word.
Thank you, it really was helpful.
In all seriousness, there's some excellent exercises in this book. I picked this up on a whim when I looked and felt incredibly incredibly awful. Every time I read it, I started feeling good about myself. I'm gonna admit that having that oppressive veil of depression lift and being told that my way of thinking is not actually reality all the time really gave me some relief, and this book continued (and is continuing) to help me through some very difficult times. I think I'll keep re-reading it and doing the exercises to the best of my ability. The length of this book never even crossed my mind because I really was hanging on almost every word.
Thank you, it really was helpful.