The Feeling Good Handbook

The Feeling Good Handbook

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93  ·  rating details  ·  1,672 ratings  ·  72 reviews
Filled with charts, quizzes, weekly self-assessment tests, and a daily mood log, "The Feeling Good Handbook" actively engages its readers in their own recovery. "A wonderful achievement."--M. Anthony Bates, clinical psychologist, Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia.
Paperback, 768 pages
Published May 1st 1999 by Plume (first published 1989)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Blink by Malcolm GladwellOutliers by Malcolm GladwellFreakonomics by Steven D. LevittPredictably Irrational by Dan ArielyThe Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Greatest Psychology Books
75th out of 283 books — 303 voters
The Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Notebook by Nicholas SparksThe Jungle Book by Rudyard KiplingOld Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. EliotThe Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss
Books With 'Book' In The Title
191st out of 273 books — 46 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Yulia
Nov 07, 2012 Yulia marked it as to-read
Recommended to Yulia by: a family member
Shelves: non-fiction
I haven't read this yet, but was recently directed to a list included in this book on page 76 of distorted thoughts, or cognitive distortions, that people make:

1) All-or-nothing thinking: You look at things in absolute, black-and-white categories.
2) Over-generalization: You view a negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat.
3) mental filter: You dwell on the negatives and ignore the positives.
4) Discounting the positives: You insist that your positives don't "count."
5) Jumping to conclus...more
Marakabull
I am currently reading the book. I think that the book is really good and is very on point with different kind of issues. The book really tackles many issues that we face everyday.I think that the book is really helpful for figuring out what is bothering you and how to solve many problems such as depression and other different kinds of phobias. The book has taught me several things so far on how to express my feelings and how to get to the bottom of what ever is bothering you. I think that anybo...more
Char
hopefully, I can get through this very thick book, but I LOVE the premise, and heard about it from an Education Week talk on battling depression. The speaker was a 20 year or so experienced Psychiatrist who now works w/ LDS Social Services, and rarely uses medication more than very short term, and has seen TONS of non-relapse success with cognitive therapy--anyway, that's what this somewhat older, but still best-selling book is about--except in extreme cases, he gives lots of tools for controlli...more
Gina
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Heidi
I know, it looks so cheezy but it's REALLY GOOD not just for those suffering from anxiety, depression or another mood disorder but for pretty much all of us. Covers cognitive distortions (all or nothing thinking, negative fantasizing, etc) and how to deal with it. Truly life changing for me to read this, and I don't say that lightly. I suggest this book often to friends that are struggling with anxiety or depression but may not want to try medication or seeing a therapist. This book does NOT rep...more
Marianne Wallace
Overwhelmed? Stressed? Feel like you're ready to slide into a dark abyss?

This is the book version of a cognitive behavioral therapy session with a psychiatrist. The examples, advice and exercises help you step back from your feelings, thoughts and behavior and take a clearer, more factual look at what's really going on in and around you.

It's a tome at just over 700 pages and covers topics such as Why People Procrastinate, Social Anxiety and Five Secrets of Intimate Communication, all divided int...more
Tiko
This book changed my life. I am now able to recognize my mental patterns and decide if they're beneficial to me or not, and discard the unproductive, depressing, anxiety creating thoughts in favor of good thoughts or no thought at all. It's a workbook & the exercises must be done to get the full effect.

I recently bought this handbook again because I lost the first one and I realized I'm in need of its way of putting my thoughts on paper and weighing/sorting them out.

I recommend this book t...more
samaneh
Sep 19, 2010 samaneh rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: every one who want to think better
Shelves: psycology
it is extraordinary amazing,usefull& essential.

ده روش برای سالم اندیشی:
1- خطاهای شناختی را بررسی کنید.
2- شواهد را بررسی کنید.
3- روش معیار دوگانه: همان تشویقی که از دوستانتان می کنید مشمول خود کنید. به خودتان اعتماد به نفس بدهید.
4- روش تجربی: آزمون کردن افکار
5- اندیشیدن در سایه های خاکستری: همه چیز صفر یا صد نیست.
6- روش بررسی: آیا دیگران هم همین نظر را دارند؟ انسان بودن هیچ اشکالی ندارد.
7- تعریف کردن واژه ها: به این توجه کنید که چه می توانید بکنید تا بیاموزید و رشد کنید و از آنچه هستید...more
Michelle
This is the newer edition of THE book that was used in the clinical trials comparing antidepressants to cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which, believe it or not, they were found equally effective. I wish I had learned about this book in medical school! Not only have I found it extremely helpful on a personal level, but I can't think of a single person I've ever met who shouldn't read this book. What a helpful way of untwisting all the horrible things we and our minds do to ourselves.
Shahna
This book changed my life during a very difficult time. It started my desire to go back to school and get a masters degree in this field so that I can share his message with others. It is my go-to book I recommend to people who struggle with a mood disorder or know someone who does but the dont want to rely on medicine. I am not against medicine, I just love the ideas behind behavioral therapy and know it works.
Mugen
This is among the loveliest books I have ever read! The ideas are presented in a very engaging manner and the book flows very well to teach you about CBT techniques. You learn about your moods and how you can improve them. You can practice them yourself then to overcome problems of anxiety & depression. This is the true "self-help" book.
Heidi Lynn
Can't afford counselling? Well, they've actually studied this book and found it has clinical effectiveness very similar to a course of cognitive behavioural therapy. I found the bit about interpersonal communication especially helpful. Find the truth in complaints against you. Who knew?
Ruth
727 pages. Donated 2010 May.

Revised with up-to-date information on the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs, "The Feeling Good Handbook" has sold more than 500,000 copies in previous editions.

Somehow I expected more. The book seemed kind of patronizing.
Dean
I've been using this book with my therapist and it's really helped me manage my issues with depression and anxiety. Very practical exercises, not overly touchy-feely or spiritual like many self-help books. Can't recommend it enough.
Nancy Farquhar
Great book for learning about, and treating depression through cognitive exercises. Very effective tools for learning new, healthy ways to rework thoughts and beliefs that can deeply affect one's mood. Worth sticking with it.
Shauna
I am not all the way done with this massive manual, but the parts I have finished have changed the way I think. You read that right, CHANGED my life. Seriously good insight for everyone.
Luc Reid
A friendly, step-by-step approach to applying Rational Emotive-Based Therapy (REBT) to your own life. Does a very good job of showing the connections between our thoughts and our emotions.
Natalie
I only read the chapters relating to communication. I LOVED it! I've never had a book that has been so helpful for me as I try to improve this area in my life. I LOVED it!
Msstacylynn Turner
Awesome, saved my life literally. Very helpful work book. I reviewed my pages from 5 years ago and today. Amazing recovery. This was required reading while I was in the hospital
Allison Vinson
I recommend this book for clients who are suffering with depression. I think it is a great tool. My only complaint is the length can be overwhelming for clients.
Darlene Martinez
I had to read this book for my internship in Mental Health and it is like one of the best books I have ever read! I highly recommend it! It is awesome : )
Natalie
Jan 13, 2010 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who are depressed or anxious for any reason, people with anger issues
Recommended to Natalie by: my former therapist
Shelves: owned
Completely changed how I think about my emotions. Gave me the tools (worksheets, lists, etc.) to correct skewed thinking -- and thus feel better.
Michael
David Burns is an avid advocate of cognitive therapy. His book is thought provoking and easy to read and follow. An excellent psychological book.
Samuel
I read this book based on a recommendation from a friend. And it has provided much of the framework for how I think about how I feel.
Andrea
this book has changed my life for the best.

i have stopped ruminating and even the most emotionally charged events in my life have lost their bitterness. i am now more able to look about and see the lessons learned rather than look back and feel like i'm reliving an unbearable pain.

my cognitive therapist recommended this book and after working with him for a few months, i was able to make the most out of dr. burns insights on distortions and breaking the patterns of counterproductive thoughts/fe...more
Katie Lynn
Ridiculous title, but it comes highly recommended to me from a trusted source... and so, it begins.

Perhaps more than the average person wants to read; I suspect a lot of people skip sections about specific drugs, etc. I found it fascinating, though. I think this book triggered a lot of good insights and ideas.

"When two people respect each other, the ability to be vulnerable and to reveal hurt feelings can create a powerful emotional connection that is the source of real intimacy and friendship."
Vicki
Great book if you ever suffer from depression/anxiety. It helped me through some postpartum.
Salil
Nov 30, 2012 Salil added it
It is a remarkable book for everyday learning and not just for people with depression
Stacy
This is a great book for people with anxiety disorder. Contains some worksheets as well as great tips for making it through panic attacks.
Brady
protip: buy the paperback and rip the front cover off if it's too Stuart Smalley for you.
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 99 100 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
The Feeling Good Handbook (Paperback)
The Feeling Good Handbook: Using the New Mood Therapy in Everyday Life (Hardcover)
El Manual De Ejercicios De Sentirse Bien/ The Feeling Good Handbook (Autoayuda) (Spanish Edition)
1498
David D. Burns is an adjunct professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the author of the best-selling book Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Burns popularized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) when his book became a best seller during the 1980s.

Burns received his B.A. from Amherst College in 1964 and his M.D. fro...more
More about David D. Burns...
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work Intimate Connections Ten Days to Self-Esteem

Share This Book

Your website