Depression For Dummies by Laura L Smith, Charles H. Elliott

Depression For Dummies

by Laura L Smith and Charles H. Elliott

"What do you have to be depressed about?" Bet you've heard that one before. Or how about, "You're depressed? Just get over it!" Easier said than done, right? Or here's a favorite, "They have a pill for that now, you know."

Unfortunately, such naive armchair psychology rarely works for someone suffering from the very real plight of depression. All it does is seek to trivialize depression and characterize depressed people as "whiners" who have nothing better to do than to "complain about their lives." But the truth is, depression is a very real problem. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that, on any given day, 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression. And depression rates continue to increase - for example, kids exhibit depression at nearly ten times the rate of previous generations. Theories abound as to why depression rates are increasing, but regardless of the cause, this scourge continues to rob its victims of happiness, joy, and the capacity to give and receive love.

So why Depression For Dummies, when there's already a glut of self-help books on the market peddling so-called cures and remedies for depression? Because this book satisfies the need for a straight-talking, no-nonsense resource on depression. The only agenda of Depression For Dummies is to present you with the facts on depression and explain the options for dealing with it. Rest assured, this is no infomercial in a yellow and black cover.

Here's just a sampling of what you'll find in Depression For Dummies:

  • Demystifying the types of depression
  • Discovering what goes on in the body of a depressed person
  • Detecting and diagnosing depression
  • Seeking help through therapy and medication
  • Modifying depressed behavior and solving life's headaches
  • Dealing with depression resulting from grief and relationship issues
  • Cutting through the hype of alternative treatments for depression
  • Moving beyond depression: Avoiding relapses and pursuing a happy life
  • Top Ten lists on getting rid of a your bad mood and helping your kids and other family members out of depression

So, whatever your level of depression - whether you suffer from occasional bouts or you find yourself seriously debilitated by depression - Depression For Dummies can give you the insight and tools you need to once again find enjoyment and happiness in life. All it takes is one step.

Reviewed by Hillary on

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I have struggled with depression for as long as I remember. It is mostly gone now expect for the annoying “winter blues”, This time of year I am always looking for ways to remain happy and upbeat through the long dark days of winter. I have read many books on the topic, and this one seemed to rehash all of the other books out there on depression. I guess there is nothing new out there on the topic, so there is nothing new to write. If you haven’t read a book on depression yet this is a good book to start you off with.
It covers the types of therapies available and the types of medication out there among other things.This review was originally posted on Adventures in Never Never Land

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 30 March, 2015: Finished reading
  • 30 March, 2015: Reviewed