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 A great help to those with depression Nov 07, 2009
The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness is a great resource for anyone who has ever been trapped in the seemingly never ending cycle of a depressive disorder. The authors explain how the cycle feeds upon itself to keep us in a chronically unhappy state, and how to stop that cycle. Once again, a wonderful resource.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
If you read only one book to help you get through depression, make it this one. Oct 02, 2009
I have ordered and read a lot of books but have never written a review on Amazon before. I am writing this one because I strongly believe this to be one of the most helpful and enlightening books I have ever read. I have struggled with negative thinking and depression for my entire adult life. I have sought out (and still receive) counseling and medication to help. All the things that my therapist was trying to teach me about observing and being aware of my own thoughts--about myself, about others, about my impressions and thoughts of others, etc.--are explained simply here, and exercises and techniques are provided to help you learn how to do it. If you read this book and honestly undertake the exercises and lessons taught here, you will be giving yourself the tools you need to make it through. If you cannot afford a therapist, get this book. If you can, go to the therapist and get this book.
With all this said, if you find yourself in a deep depression and are having any thoughts of hurting yourself, don't get this book now. First, and right away, go and talk to a professional who can help you now.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
The only one that actually helped Sep 20, 2009
I have suffered depression for years. I have been to five "shrinks", been placed on three different medications (not at the same time, of course) to treat the depression and all to no effect. I have read other books on depression but this one is the only one that is actually making a noticeable and positive change in my life. Simply put, the approach works. It takes effort (which is extremely difficult if depression is severe) and practice, but the benefit is very well worth it. I read the reviewer who gave the book a 1 star rating, I can't know whether they actually read the entire book or simply a part of it, or perhaps even completely misunderstood it but from the short note they left I believe it must be the former. It is not, as that reviewer claims, evolution that makes one depressed and is thus "hard wired" (to use their terminology). Rather it is our thoughts and how we react to them. More, it is how we get caught in a downward spiral with old-habit thought patterns when something goes wrong or even if we feel a bit blue that can send us into depression. Recognizing these thoughts and habits and taking a completely different approach to them is key, and how to do that is clearly outlined in this book. As I stated, I have suffered from depression for years and only now do I see hope. Medication did not work for me. The "shrinks" did not work for me. This approach has. I'm only stating my own experiences here, not giving medical advice. The only advice I give here is this: If you suffer from depression, it is worth it to at least try the approach in this book. It's made a difference for me where nothing else has.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 A useful guide for applying mindfulness to the treatment of depression Aug 25, 2009
This book unites four professionals from different backgrounds to present a unique approach for depression self-help: there is a psychologist (Williams), two previous authors of works on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (Teasdale and Segal), and finally, an expert on mindfulness meditation (Kabat-Zin). The varying expertise of this group has produced a practical, thoughtful approach to the treatment of depression, combining classic cognitive techniques with the use of mindfulness, or a sense of non-judgmental awareness of and attention to the present moment. They present a realistic and empathetic portrait of what it is like to suffer from depression, suggesting that the depressed person's effort to problem-solve--usually in the form of critical thinking and rumination--is the very thing which serves to keep one stuck in a negative cycle. On the other hand, Williams et al. argue that cultivating mindfulness allows one to become more open to possibilities, to more easily disregard negative judgments, to stop worrying about the future, to solve problems more effectively, and to prevent future slides into depression by becoming more aware of the early warning signs.
So, how do the authors teach their readers to become more mindful? They start by presenting convincing examples which illustrate the potential power of mindfulness; following this, they move on to simple exercises which allow readers to discover this for themselves. These initial exercises encourage the reader to increase mindfulness during everyday activities such as driving or taking a shower. Moving on from here, the authors review the importance of giving up on attempts to control the mind, incorporating breathing into the practice, and gathering feedback directly through the senses rather than via thought. The book also includes additional exercises, two detailed case examples, and guidelines for an 8-week mindfulness program. Finally, there is an accompanying CD which offers a total of six guided meditation practices narrated by Jon Kabat-Zin: Body Scan, Mindful Standing Yoga, Mindfulness of the Breath, Mindfulness of the Breath and Body, Mindfulness of Sounds and Thoughts, and The Breathing Space.
Overall, this book provides an effective approach for dealing with depressive symptoms. But I would caution readers by noting that although there are plenty of practical suggestions and an array of helpful exercises, the concepts presented here may be perceived as being too abstract for some who are simply looking for more concrete self-help. However, I would definitely recommend The Mindful Way Through Depression to therapists wanting to incorporate the use of mindfulness techniques with their clients, and I also believe that it would be appropriate self-help reading for depression sufferers who have an interest in meditation techniques and/or who are looking for a fresh perspective to assist with managing their depression.
Great insight into and practical help for depression Jul 09, 2009
This book is the best written of any I have read on the subject of depression. It teaches you a different way to approach handling your feelings by becoming more aware of your body. A wonderful CD is included that has guided meditations. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for better understanding of depression and for anyone who wants something concrete to help conquer this disease.
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