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How to Heal Depression
Clears up misconceptions about mental depression, and describes symptoms and treatments.
Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
7 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Harold H. Bloomfield
60 books8 followersBloomfield was born on October 8, 1944, in New York, NY to an accountant and housewife. He grew up in New York City and showed interest in becoming a psychiatrist at age seven.
Bloomfield graduated cum laude with a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh and from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center with an M.D. with honors.
He worked at the Kaiser Foundation's hospital in San Francisco as an intern from 1969 to 1970. He did his psychiatric residency at Yale University School of Medicine from 1970 to 1973.
He received the David Berger Award in 1978 and the Golden Apple Award in 1982. He worked at the Institute of Psychophysiological Medicine in El Cajon, CA from 1970 to 1973 and became its director of psychiatry in 1974. He became a professor of psychiatry at Maharishi International University in 1974. He was adjunct professor of psychiatry at Union Graduate School and director of his own practice called Age of Enlightenment Center for Holistic Health in San Diego, California from 1972 to 1973.
Bloomfield has authored or co-authored 20 books and was a founder of the American Holistic Medical Association. He is the author of Making Peace with your Parents, Making Peace with Yourself, Making Peace with Your Step-Parents, Making Peace with Your Past, Hypericum (St. John's Wort) & Depression, How to Heal Depression, and the bestsellers How to Survive the Loss of a Love and TM: Discovering Inner Energy and Overcoming Stress. According to his publisher his books have sold more than seven million copies and have been translated into over 30 languages.
According to a 1986 survey published in the American Journal of Psychotherapy Bloomfield's book, How to Survive the Loss of a Love, was one of the top ten self-help books recommended by the 123 American psychologists in the survey. Bloomfield received the Theodor Geisel Book Award in 1999.
Bloomfield was influenced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and traveled with the Maharishi in India. He was a candidate for Governor of California in 1998 on the Natural Law Party ticket and received 27,000 votes.
He has appeared in numerous TV shows including Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, CNN, Good Morning America and 20/20. His work has also been reported in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and Forbes.
Bloomfield's book Making Peace with God was published in October 2003.
Bloomfield has received the Medical Self-Care Book of the Year Award and the American Holistic Health Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bloomfield graduated cum laude with a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh and from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center with an M.D. with honors.
He worked at the Kaiser Foundation's hospital in San Francisco as an intern from 1969 to 1970. He did his psychiatric residency at Yale University School of Medicine from 1970 to 1973.
He received the David Berger Award in 1978 and the Golden Apple Award in 1982. He worked at the Institute of Psychophysiological Medicine in El Cajon, CA from 1970 to 1973 and became its director of psychiatry in 1974. He became a professor of psychiatry at Maharishi International University in 1974. He was adjunct professor of psychiatry at Union Graduate School and director of his own practice called Age of Enlightenment Center for Holistic Health in San Diego, California from 1972 to 1973.
Bloomfield has authored or co-authored 20 books and was a founder of the American Holistic Medical Association. He is the author of Making Peace with your Parents, Making Peace with Yourself, Making Peace with Your Step-Parents, Making Peace with Your Past, Hypericum (St. John's Wort) & Depression, How to Heal Depression, and the bestsellers How to Survive the Loss of a Love and TM: Discovering Inner Energy and Overcoming Stress. According to his publisher his books have sold more than seven million copies and have been translated into over 30 languages.
According to a 1986 survey published in the American Journal of Psychotherapy Bloomfield's book, How to Survive the Loss of a Love, was one of the top ten self-help books recommended by the 123 American psychologists in the survey. Bloomfield received the Theodor Geisel Book Award in 1999.
Bloomfield was influenced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and traveled with the Maharishi in India. He was a candidate for Governor of California in 1998 on the Natural Law Party ticket and received 27,000 votes.
He has appeared in numerous TV shows including Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, CNN, Good Morning America and 20/20. His work has also been reported in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and Forbes.
Bloomfield's book Making Peace with God was published in October 2003.
Bloomfield has received the Medical Self-Care Book of the Year Award and the American Holistic Health Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 11, 2011
If you've suffered from depression, you know the hardest part of recovery is finding the strength to start. It's not that you don't want to get better - really, who'd choose to feel this way? - it's that even the simplest step seems overwhelming. There are many great books out there that can help, but most of them are really meant to be read when you're well and can deal with a lot of complex information.
This is not one of those books. It's designed to be read during a depressive episode; everything is in clear language and laid out in bullet points. It understands that the reader needs answers but does not have the concentration to seek them out at this point. This is a quick-reference guide for those times when that is all you can handle.
There's a lot of good information here. Causes, symptoms, strategies - it's all covered. There's also lots of great quotes that pick you up and give voice to what you're feeling. It tells you what you can do now, and makes recommendations for what to do when you're feeling better. The tone never condescends; the authors make it clear at all times that what you are experiencing is real and must be taken seriously (but laughing really does help).
This is a book you'll go back to again and again. It's meant for highlighting and writing in the margins (there's plenty of room!). Think of it as a resource and a friend in those dark nights of the soul.
This is not one of those books. It's designed to be read during a depressive episode; everything is in clear language and laid out in bullet points. It understands that the reader needs answers but does not have the concentration to seek them out at this point. This is a quick-reference guide for those times when that is all you can handle.
There's a lot of good information here. Causes, symptoms, strategies - it's all covered. There's also lots of great quotes that pick you up and give voice to what you're feeling. It tells you what you can do now, and makes recommendations for what to do when you're feeling better. The tone never condescends; the authors make it clear at all times that what you are experiencing is real and must be taken seriously (but laughing really does help).
This is a book you'll go back to again and again. It's meant for highlighting and writing in the margins (there's plenty of room!). Think of it as a resource and a friend in those dark nights of the soul.
June 7, 2011
An easy read with some great quotes and helpful tips. I also learned that Abraham Lincoln suffered from depression most of his adult life, which I did not know till I read this book. He went far which gives those suffering from depression much hope.
November 16, 2018
E o carte foarte bună pentru cei care nu cunosc nimic sau foarte puține despre depresie. Multe lucruri deja le știam, totuși, m-a încurajat, mi-a oferit și mai multă putere în lupta cu depresia.
February 26, 2008
This is an excellent book for anyone who has ever or will ever deal with depression with themselves or a loved one. It has a positive and somewhat humorous tone, yet it gets to the point with the serious and pertinent information one needs to know.
Both of the successful authors make the topic more personalized in that they share their own experiences with the disease. They also make it very readable with short chapters and great quotes from many famous people who have dealt with depression. I read it in just two evenings.
Both of the successful authors make the topic more personalized in that they share their own experiences with the disease. They also make it very readable with short chapters and great quotes from many famous people who have dealt with depression. I read it in just two evenings.
Want to read
June 2, 2021This is not a review but a remark. Provided that this book (and it seems all the other books of McWilliams') are so good and helpful, why doesn't Amazon sell them in a Kindle format?
June 18, 2016
I see real use for this book for those suffering from depression, the book is not filled with hard to understand verbiage, and is broken into small chapters and is filled with quotes relating to that chapter (though some I could not find a strong connection to)
However, I as somebody who was reading the book to get a better understanding of depression from an outside view, found it lacking in that kind of information. I also found it at time needlessly repetitive. My sister says this is to hammer the important points home, as those who need help with depression may need more then a light mentioning in the book that they should seek help, and can without feeling guilty. That said, I feel they could have made this point without having three chapters in a row end with "call your doctor"
The chapters are also broken into segments, like bullet points, instead of a few paragraphs like most books.
*Kind of like how this is. It would mention a point
*Followed by another fact,
*or piece of info, at times feeling like they could have merged the two points into one.
Again, I see the point in this. They wanted to make sure that people could read it, and I get that. But these bullet points, and at times several chapters could have been merged together, and even expanded on into real chapters without (I feel) hurting their goals of easy to read chapters.
Perhaps the books was just not made for me, as some points hit my bias on doctors and how a book is best built. If this book helps others, then I have no qualms with the book being out there. However, if you are reading this to understand what your friends or family are dealing with, this may not be the best book for you. This is a book best recommended to those who are depressed, and looking for a step up.
However, I as somebody who was reading the book to get a better understanding of depression from an outside view, found it lacking in that kind of information. I also found it at time needlessly repetitive. My sister says this is to hammer the important points home, as those who need help with depression may need more then a light mentioning in the book that they should seek help, and can without feeling guilty. That said, I feel they could have made this point without having three chapters in a row end with "call your doctor"
The chapters are also broken into segments, like bullet points, instead of a few paragraphs like most books.
*Kind of like how this is. It would mention a point
*Followed by another fact,
*or piece of info, at times feeling like they could have merged the two points into one.
Again, I see the point in this. They wanted to make sure that people could read it, and I get that. But these bullet points, and at times several chapters could have been merged together, and even expanded on into real chapters without (I feel) hurting their goals of easy to read chapters.
Perhaps the books was just not made for me, as some points hit my bias on doctors and how a book is best built. If this book helps others, then I have no qualms with the book being out there. However, if you are reading this to understand what your friends or family are dealing with, this may not be the best book for you. This is a book best recommended to those who are depressed, and looking for a step up.
January 23, 2021
I bought this book in 1995, when I was in treatment for a major depressive episode. I carried it in my purse, and opened it to a random page whenever I needed a reminder that what I was experiencing was not who I was. It fell open to certain pages, as I re-read a particular section over and over.
Once I was past that episode, I kept the book. After all, I had put highlighter marks in it; it couldn't be donated. That was the story I told myself as I kept it on the shelf for 26 years.
Last week I took it down again and started reading. Like so many of us right now, I am experiencing depression (a normal response to our situation given the pandemic and recent political turmoil). I felt like I needed this old friend again.
I was right. I had forgotten so much of the excellent, practical advice. Each chapter is only one or two pages long; depression makes it hard to concentrate, so the authors were deliberate in making the book easy to read in tiny chunks. Their words are gentle, helpful, and supportive as they provide readers with information that will help them not only feel better but help point them in the right direction for any professional help they might need. Yes, the references at the back use phone and fax numbers; it was, after all, published in the days when e-mail was a novelty, let alone a web page. But the organizations still exist and it's just a hop, skip and a jump to find them on the internet.
I referred to this book as an old friend, and I meant it. I am truly glad I kept it.
Once I was past that episode, I kept the book. After all, I had put highlighter marks in it; it couldn't be donated. That was the story I told myself as I kept it on the shelf for 26 years.
Last week I took it down again and started reading. Like so many of us right now, I am experiencing depression (a normal response to our situation given the pandemic and recent political turmoil). I felt like I needed this old friend again.
I was right. I had forgotten so much of the excellent, practical advice. Each chapter is only one or two pages long; depression makes it hard to concentrate, so the authors were deliberate in making the book easy to read in tiny chunks. Their words are gentle, helpful, and supportive as they provide readers with information that will help them not only feel better but help point them in the right direction for any professional help they might need. Yes, the references at the back use phone and fax numbers; it was, after all, published in the days when e-mail was a novelty, let alone a web page. But the organizations still exist and it's just a hop, skip and a jump to find them on the internet.
I referred to this book as an old friend, and I meant it. I am truly glad I kept it.
June 7, 2025
June 6, 2025 - 5 Stars
Oh how different a person (and frankly the world, when I last read this, hardly anyone spoke up about mental health) I am from my last review.
As with all psychology things, there are things that are out of date with further research, but only a few bits. As a whole, it holds up even 30 years after publication. Would recommend.
Mar 29, 2014 - 5 Stars
This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read on the subject. It makes me feel good, and like I am not such a freak case. I fully plan on purchasing a copy and lending it out to people who are like "can't you just cheer up, life isn't so bad. No need to be depressed." I will fling this book at them with vigor, and hope they wake up from their ignorance.
Oh how different a person (and frankly the world, when I last read this, hardly anyone spoke up about mental health) I am from my last review.
As with all psychology things, there are things that are out of date with further research, but only a few bits. As a whole, it holds up even 30 years after publication. Would recommend.
Mar 29, 2014 - 5 Stars
This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read on the subject. It makes me feel good, and like I am not such a freak case. I fully plan on purchasing a copy and lending it out to people who are like "can't you just cheer up, life isn't so bad. No need to be depressed." I will fling this book at them with vigor, and hope they wake up from their ignorance.
August 30, 2007
This book was just what I needed. It set off light bulb after light bulb. It's in a quick, easy to read format that lets you take in the important facts quickly. There are other books (such as "Feeling Good") that explore all this in more detail. However, if you have ever dealt with depression (in yourself or someone close to you) this book is a great place to start. A real eye opener!
March 22, 2015
Insightful and easy to read. I enjoyed catching a glimpse of the life of a depressed person without having to live through it. Hopefully I can be of encouragement to someone who lives this everyday.
November 12, 2015
The quotes were great but otherwise I did not learn anything new. It may be helpful to those who don't know anything about depression, though. Nice explanation of symptoms, types of medication and behaviour of the depressed people.
May 3, 2016
Was/is the best book on helping me with my own depression. Full of concrete help and written in a bullet-point format makes it easy to read when you don't have much tolerance for reading about depression, but want to start getting help.
February 17, 2010
I had to re-read this. It helped completely. Stand in the light and sing even when there is no song in your heart.
December 21, 2011
I ended up having to put this one down. While very informative, the "you need to go seek treatment" part is repetitive enough to get annoying.
August 18, 2015
worth the read.
June 25, 2016
seems to b a good book and very helpful
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews