Book Review: "feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy"

Depression is a prevalent public health problem. Its ubiquity makes it considerable as a "psychiatric common cold." But far from a common cold, depression is lethal. Depression-induced suicide rates soar despite the numerous antidepressants and tranquilizers available in the health market today. Dr. Burns focuses on the development of a radical type of psychotherapy known as "cognitive therapy." This book is the first public exposition of the methods of cognitive therapy.

Most people believe that feelings are influenced by external circumstances, by hormones and physiological chemistry, and by the conflicts and traumas that haunt your past. Somehow they do, yet it takes away the influence of your thoughts on your feelings. These theories are grounded on the impression that our feelings are away from our control. If you whisper to yourself, "I can not help the way I feel," you are only victimizing yourself of your own misery. With such habit you are simply fooling yourself, because the fact is that all of us can change the way we feel.

One disclaimer is necessary. There are many times when negative feelings are healthy and appropriate. Learning when to accept these feelings and how to cope with a realistically negative situation is just as important as learning how to rid yourself of distorted thoughts and feelings. If a loved one is seriously ill, you will feel concerned. These sad feelings are a sign of caring. If the house you had your heart set on hold to someone who made a slightly higher offer, it is natural to feel disappointed. If you're having an argument with your spouse, you will probably feel angry and hurt. If you have to give a speech or start a new job or ask your boss for a raise, you will probably feel a little nervous. It's often best to accept these negative feelings.

Cognitive therapy is mainly involved with mood metamorphosis, which can help one eliminate the symptoms of depressions as well as equip one with the capacity to abate depression more effectively in the future. The mood regulation procedures of cognitive therapy provide: "rapid symptomatic improvement, understanding, self-control, and prevention and personal growth. In milder depressions, relief from symptoms can often be observed in as shorth a time as twelve weeks" (Burns).

Understanding about moods renders an unclouded explanation of why we experience mood swings and the potential that we all have to shape our moods. In this book, Dr. Burns teaches the precursors of these natural yet powerful feelings; provides an enlightening distinction between "normal" from "abnormal" emotions. Moreover, you will learn ways on how to diagnose as well as assess the gravity of your upsets.

Self-control is about employing safe and effective coping approaches that will enable you to feel better whenever you become upset. Through his explicit writing,