Dr. David Burns' "Feeling Good": A Classic in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Literature
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Published on 10/30/2010
By Kitty Holman. The most helpful section of the book I've found is when Burns identifies a list of cognitive distortions that everyone whether depressed or not employs on a daily basis. I was
surprised by how often and how many of them I used practically every
waking moment. By identifying the different types of distortions like
all-or-nothing thinking, should statements, and labeling you begin to
understand exactly how negative feelings take hold and exacerbate
depression.
By Kitty Holman. The most helpful section of the book I've found is when Burns identifies a list of cognitive distortions that everyone whether depressed or not employs on a daily basis. I was
surprised by how often and how many of them I used practically every
waking moment. By identifying the different types of distortions like
all-or-nothing thinking, should statements, and labeling you begin to
understand exactly how negative feelings take hold and exacerbate
depression.By Kitty Holman
Burns classic book, Feeling Good
, may be a bit old, but it works wonders.
I've never been much of a believer in self-help books. I'd always considered them something like infomercial products they make millions of promises, have terribly corny advertising, and often fail to deliver.
So when I was first recommended Burns' book, even though a professional psychiatrist had pointed me to it, I was extremely skeptical.
But then I began reading it. I had expected a series of pseudo-inspirational platitudes on how we should all just perk up, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and get on with our lives.
Instead I found very concrete steps, presented in a clearly outlined format, that we can take to combat depression by understanding how it works from the inside out.
The best part about Burns' book is that it uses both logic and humor to keep the 600+ page tome going.
For anyone who is suffering or has suffered from depression, the prospect of reading through such a long book can seem daunting.
But because the book is written so that you can read small chunks at a time, in whatever order, and because it reads a lot like simply talking to a friend, the length is hardly an issue.
The most helpful section of the book I've found is when Burns identifies a list of cognitive distortions that everyone whether depressed or not employs on a daily basis.
I was surprised by how often and how many of them I used practically every waking moment.
By identifying the different types of distortions like all-or-nothing thinking, should statements, and labeling you begin to understand exactly how negative feelings take hold and exacerbate depression such that it becomes a hole that is impossible to climb out of.
Many critics of the book say that Burns' methods only serve to mask depression.
While "Feeling Good" isn't necessarily the ultimate "cure" for depression, it does certainly help to alleviate depression's most defeating symptoms.
For those who are experiencing clinical depression, it's a great supplement to therapy and/or medication.
It clearly demonstrates to patients how there is much in their own power that they can do to make themselves feel better.
Realizing that we all have this power is an incredibly invigorating feeling one that can serve as starting point for hopeful future.
By-line:
This guest article is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing schools.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.
Burns classic book, Feeling Good
, may be a bit old, but it works wonders. I've never been much of a believer in self-help books. I'd always considered them something like infomercial products they make millions of promises, have terribly corny advertising, and often fail to deliver.
So when I was first recommended Burns' book, even though a professional psychiatrist had pointed me to it, I was extremely skeptical.
But then I began reading it. I had expected a series of pseudo-inspirational platitudes on how we should all just perk up, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and get on with our lives.
Instead I found very concrete steps, presented in a clearly outlined format, that we can take to combat depression by understanding how it works from the inside out.
The best part about Burns' book is that it uses both logic and humor to keep the 600+ page tome going. For anyone who is suffering or has suffered from depression, the prospect of reading through such a long book can seem daunting.
But because the book is written so that you can read small chunks at a time, in whatever order, and because it reads a lot like simply talking to a friend, the length is hardly an issue.
The most helpful section of the book I've found is when Burns identifies a list of cognitive distortions that everyone whether depressed or not employs on a daily basis.
I was surprised by how often and how many of them I used practically every waking moment.
By identifying the different types of distortions like all-or-nothing thinking, should statements, and labeling you begin to understand exactly how negative feelings take hold and exacerbate depression such that it becomes a hole that is impossible to climb out of.
Many critics of the book say that Burns' methods only serve to mask depression.
While "Feeling Good" isn't necessarily the ultimate "cure" for depression, it does certainly help to alleviate depression's most defeating symptoms.
For those who are experiencing clinical depression, it's a great supplement to therapy and/or medication.
It clearly demonstrates to patients how there is much in their own power that they can do to make themselves feel better.
Realizing that we all have this power is an incredibly invigorating feeling one that can serve as starting point for hopeful future.
By-line:
This guest article is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of nursing schools.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.