A groundbreaking, inspiring, and practical guide to healing depression without the use of antidepressants, from world-renowned, Harvard trained ...
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Jun 19, 2008
Stephanie
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As someone who has known depression this book is like a beam of hope. Dr. Gordon is correct when saying that it is just a runt and you need to turn it around. The seven steps (although not always easy) are the right ones. You don't have to have depression to read it you just have to be human.
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Nov 30, 2011
laurie
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This is a really useful book. If you deal with depression at all, especially if you'd like to check out of Anti-Depressant Nation or come up with some alternatives at the same time, I'd read Dr. Gordon's book. I used to shelve self-help at Borders and after years as a counselor can smell b.s. This man is sincere. And if he's not, I can't tell, so good for him.
The beginning is a little long on exposition ("I will teach you," "I will tell you," etc.) for my taste, bu More...
The beginning is a little long on exposition ("I will teach you," "I will tell you," etc.) for my taste, bu More...
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Mar 02, 2011
Erika
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This book actually kind of pissed me off. I guess I'm in the (apparently minuscule) percentage of people who don't get relief from their depression without heavy medication, and Dr. Gordon doesn't believe I exist.
Instead, he "prescribes" rest, relaxation, and alternative medicine. (He actually talks about St John's Wort and says that it's a safe and effective herb, but tell that to the dysmenorrhea it triggered in me to the point where I became anemic.)
Bottom More...
Instead, he "prescribes" rest, relaxation, and alternative medicine. (He actually talks about St John's Wort and says that it's a safe and effective herb, but tell that to the dysmenorrhea it triggered in me to the point where I became anemic.)
Bottom More...
Nov 22, 2010
Karen
rated it: 
I had high expectations for this book, but sadly, it hasn't delivered the real "push" I hoped it would. I was initially captured by the author's perspective on depression as something that has become medicalized and highly, over-medicated by western medicine. On this issue we agree. However, the book itself is boring me back into depression. That's a bit of an overstatement - there have been some tips that I've found helpful & useful (and, happily enough, things that I've already be
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Aug 09, 2008
Great common sense. As I'm reading this book I'm thinking the following thoughts. After years of being prescribed an antidepressant for everything from esophageal ulcer to back pain, I've found something that makes sense. When I was prescribed Prozac for the first time, I had been stressed out of my mind for so long. I felt like a miracle had happened it was so effective in getting me back out there dealing with it all. Since then it seems that doctors assume that's all I need. Yes, there are ti
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Oct 21, 2008
Diane
rated it:
With the concept that for most people depression is simply a sign that one's life is out of balance - not an illness - James S. Gordon lays out his plan to help people figure out what is wrong in their life and how to change that.
I expected to find lots of hokey ideas to become less depressed and I found them. If you've read any books on depression and/or how to work your way out of depression most of these exercises will be familiar.
And then I tried one of the exercises More...
I expected to find lots of hokey ideas to become less depressed and I found them. If you've read any books on depression and/or how to work your way out of depression most of these exercises will be familiar.
And then I tried one of the exercises More...
Sep 04, 2011
Ricardo
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I don't doubt the author's knowledge but unfortunately I found the writing style slow and boring, and way too much emphasis on how antidepressants are a bad form of treatment
May 08, 2010
Goodnews
rated it:
A lot of practical help for dealing with depression can be found in this book.
Aug 25, 2009
Rachel
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Clear, hopeful (if daunting) look at depression treatment as a holistic process, rather than a disease which requires medication.
Sep 08, 2011
Bob
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Interesting... Contains some alternatives to antidepressant meds to treat depression.
Aug 18, 2008
Julie
rated it:
Solid, sensible advice from a man with solid, sensible credentials. I heard an interview with the author, Dr. Gordon, on the radio and the next time I was at the library, there it was so I checked it out. Dr. Gordon's basic premise is that depression is a symptom of a life that is "stuck" and that we should use our depression as a starting point for changing what is wrong with our lives.
Jul 24, 2011
As soon as I read the name of his chapters, he had me. I usually don't buy books but this one is great and will be read several times and will be shared with others. I love the format and how he plays off the patterns of mythology. This heroine is on her journey, leaving her monsters behind and finding new guides along the way.
Jul 18, 2011
Wendy
rated it:
Recommended by Michael Mighdall of Toastmasters. After reading selected parts of this book, I realized I was much more angry than depressed. I just am disgusted when a person has to take drugs to solve a problem so the authors approach is to eliminate drugs which is a good thing but is a definite change of mind set.
Oct 19, 2008
Stephanie
rated it:
Depressing. But I kept trying to read it. Then I said, WTF, I think I will go for a walk at the beach instead. That is apparently my stage one.
Maybe another time.
Maybe another time.
Aug 14, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
It was good, made me make some positive steps even if not technically depressed. I lost interest -- but that's not hard to do for me.
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