Are you tired of feeling like your emotions are a rollercoaster ride you can't control? Do you find yourself stuck in a negative mindset that's holding you back from living your best life? Well, my friend, I've recently stumbled upon a book that might just change the game for you.
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy was published in the year 1980. A revised version was published in the year 1999. The book discusses the benefits and success of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating mental disorders like depression and other related illnesses.
Source:- https://www.amazon.in/FEELING-GOOD-NEW-MOOD- THERAPY/dp/006303882X
The book has seven parts or units. The first unit explains the distorted thinking people suffering from depression have. This presents a new perspective of looking at the daily events of one’s life. Understanding the concept can help one to realize the distorted patterns that make them feel depressed.
The second chapter in particular offers a checklist by the author himself which can help the reader to evaluate their depression level. The result of the checklist just gives an idea about the level of depression the person may be having and is not supposed to be treated as a diagnosis. If the reader thinks that they are experiencing the symptoms of depression, then they should seek professional help. The book was supposed to be used for speeding up treatments for depression but later it became a self-help book.
The author has provided ten examples of cognitive distortions and has discussed them in detail. This set of information helps the reader to understand the cognitive distortions they may have. The second unit gives practical solutions to people’s problems. Problems of low self-esteem, lack of motivation, self-criticism, anger issues, and feeling of guilt and shame have dedicated chapters. The author has discussed all of these problems and presented practical solutions to overcome distorted thoughts causing them. The explanation given is quite detailed. Unit III shows the difference between sadness and depression. Sadness is an emotion whereas depression is a mental illness. Many people sometimes mistake their sadness for depression and think that their mood cannot be changed.
The author explains how even during the tragic events of one’s life, a person’s depression is not caused by external influences, but by one’s thoughts. The fourth chapter is more focused on personal growth and less on the treatment of depression. The chapters under this unit can be read more than once and can be read accordingly to the reader’s problem, e.g., one of the chapters covers the topic of perfectionism, so if the reader wants to know how to deal with the cons of perfectionism, then they can simply refer to this particular chapter.
The fifth chapter specifically discusses the topic of suicide. It contains only a single chapter that targets people who have suicidal tendencies. The chapter goes a little bit more philosophical maybe because of its relation with the importance of life. It can be highly helpful to those suffering from suicidal tendencies. Moving forward to the next chapter in which the author discusses his own experience with the practical solutions he presented in the book. The last unit of the book is about the science behind depression. The author mentions the studies he has studied on the causes and cures of depression. These chapters are scientific and are not recommended for everyone. It would only please those who want to study the science behind depression and are interested in the subject of psychology.
Pros and Cons: -
To solve any problem permanently, it is necessary to identify the cause. The book shows a solution-oriented approach by giving practical ideas and does not end with just theoretical explanations. The author touches on all the topics in-depth to present a holistic view of depression and other related illnesses. The book goes from explaining the causes to practical solutions to scientific backing, covering whatever is possible. One special thing about the book is that there are specific chapters to specific problems. People who are suffering from depression or who are just not feeling good have different problems and this book explains them chapter-wise.
For example, one of the chapters focuses on a person evaluating his or her worth based on the achievements he or she made in his or her life. So, a reader who has this particular problem may go through this chapter, and a reader who does not have this problem may skip the chapter if they wish to and can only read the chapters they think would be helpful to them. There are a few things that readers may find unpleasant or boring. There are repetitions of concepts in the book. To explain a new topic, the author had to summarize the older one to connect the two. This may make readers bored. Also, if you just want to have an overview and do not want to dive much, then this book is not for you as it contains detailed explanations. This book has more than 500 pages and some people would not like to read about depression in such detail.
Recommendations:-
As mentioned earlier, the book was earlier designed to speed up treatments. Later on, it became a self-help book. The book is recommended to those who are feeling down in their life and want to start feeling good again. The book contains practical solutions and hence it would not make any sense if the reader just reads the book and does not apply the solutions in his or her life. It's a comprehensive guide that offers effective techniques and exercises to help you change your thinking patterns and improve your emotional well-being. By using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, the book teaches you how to identify and challenge negative thoughts, reframe your thinking, and develop more positive habits.
Thus, this book can be helpful only if you apply the solutions given in the book. Although, just comprehending the concepts explained by the author would be enough to change the way you think. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, or just feeling stuck in a rut, this book can help you break free and start feeling good again. So if you're ready to take control of your emotions and transform your life, pick up a copy of "Feeling Good" today. Your future self will thank you!
Article by:- Sahil Nagpal
Edited by:- Shree Nidhi
Comments