Main description:

Depression affects many people at some point in their lives. Fortunately, we now know that by changing certain thoughts and behaviour patterns you can greatly improve how you feel. Overcoming Depression and Low Mood: A Five Areas Approach explains how low mood can affect your life. It helps you understand why you sometimes feel low, anxious, angry, or guilty. It also teaches proven practical skills to help you change how you feel. By using the clearly described practical tools inside, you can make helpful changes to your life. Ultimately, the hope is that this book will help you to regain a sense of control over how you feel.

The book is based on a cognitive behavioural therapy approach. The developers of this approach found many effective ways of tackling common symptoms and problems people face when feeling low. The course can make a big difference if you can commit to using it. Having someone else to encourage you is also important. Interactive questions and worksheets, which are a key feature of the series, are plentiful in this new edition. An award-winning companion website, www.livinglifetothefull.com, includes additional support materials and information.

Contents:

Understanding Why You Feel as You Do. Starting Out ... and How to Keep Going if You Feel Stuck. Making Changes. Practical Problem Solving. Being Assertive. Building Relationships with Your Family and Friends. Information for Families and Friends - How Can You Offer the Best Support? Doing Things that Boost How You Feel. Using Exercise to Boost How You Feel. Helpful Things You Can Do. Unhelpful Things You Do. Noticing Extreme and Unhelpful Thinking. Changing Extreme and Unhelpful Thinking. Overcoming Sleep Problems. Alcohol, Drugs and You. Understanding and Using Antidepressant Medication. Planning for the Future.