Beating the Blues: New Approaches to Overcoming Dysthymia and Chronic Mild Depression

Expertly co-authored by Michael E. Thase (Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Mood Disorders Module at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine) and Susan S. Lang (an award winning Senior Science Writer at Cornell University), Beating The Blues: New Approaches To Overcoming Dysthymia And Chronic Mild Depression is an informative introduction to a variety of therapeutic treatments for the psychological condition of chronic depression. Informatively guiding readers through a comprehensive and "user-friendly" survey and study of the diverse treatments, Beating The Blues aptly addresses such issues as of when it becomes appropriate to seek help from a therapist, which therapies are most effective, safer antidepressants which are helpful for differing levels of depression, and the employment of alternative therapies, including stress management, meditation, relaxation, massage, acupuncture, physical exercise, supplements, and more. Thoroughly accessible for the non-specialist general reader, Beating The Blues is to be given high praise for its easy-to-follow guidance and is very strongly recommended for anyone struggling with their own depression and who are searching for the right treatment approach for their dysthymia or depression.

I really like Thase and Lang's Beating the Blues. It gets to the point and clearly and simply answers lots of questions I've had. For example, what to look for in a therapist. It goes through the symptoms and shows how dysthymia, mild depression, and major depression differ from each other. It also addresses a few other similar conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Once it gets to the "so what should you do about it" section of the book, it takes many approaches from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in terms of analyzing what you're thinking and how that affects your feelings. A basic assumption is that our thoughts generate our emotions, and we can tend to use somewhat distorted thought patterns that set up a feedback loop with feelings of tiredness, apathy, feelings of self-worth. It pulls a good deal of material from Feeling Good: A New Mood Therapby by David Burns, though I prefer this book's tone and style. Then, the Beating the Blues compares three types of approaches: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, and Problem Solving Therapy. The last part of the book deals with specific sub-groups: children and adolescents, women, and the elderly. One thing I appreciate about the book is its clear and direct writing style. One author (Michael Thase) is a medical doctor while the other author (Susan Lang) is a science writer. Having that professional writer in the mix is key, I think. It's a friendly and non-technical approach, but it's not condescending or too much of a cheerleader for my tastes. It's also an easy book to scan, with good chapter and section headers that let you know what's safe to skip and what's not. Overall, a very good book.

This book fills a gap in the mental health field; the many books out on depression have not been a good fit for those struggling with dysthymia. Beating the Blues speaks to those who have been managing to function, but missing out on pleasure and full productivity. Easy to read and apply, the information and techniques shared in this book can change lives. I have shared it with both teens and adults-members of both age groups connected quickly with the book, feeling that it captured what they were experiencing. Both teens and adults benefited from a deeper understanding of how dysthymia was impacting their lives, and had success with the strategies for change. I recommend having a few copies around since you will inevitably want to lend some out.

I recommend Beating the Blues to anyone who often feels mildly depressed and can't seem to shake the down feelings. I thought this book gave a great synthesis of the findings of recent research and clinical studies on mild and moderate depression and the most effective treatments, including several new, experimental therapies. I found the detailed self-help strategies valuable, as well as the guidelines for deciding whether to seek psychotherapy or medications. The book was made even more useful by the inclusion of many bulleted lists and charts, which I could refer back to for a summary of a chapter or to find specific information. I lent the book to a co-worker whose mother had become depressed since moving to an elder-care facility. After reading it, she said that she now has a better understanding of what her mother is going through, and she is using the chapter on aging and dysthymia, as well as the chapter on medications, to take steps to alleviate her mother's symptoms. I've read many self-help books, and I can't remember another so packed with valuable, easily usable information. I definitely recommend Beating the Blues.

This book explores causes and new treatments for mild depression. It is easy to understand and accessible to all, providing readers with a thorough understanding of depression. It is formatted for quick reference to key ideas and information. Plenty of new, innovative, effective coping strategies are included. Readers will be inspired to take action to overcome depression. Highly recommended for anyone suffering from depression or interested in treatments for mild depression.