Transforming Depression: Healing the Soul Through Creativity

by David H. Rosen

In this groundbreaking book, David H. Rosen, M.D., offers depressed individuals, their families, and therapists a lifesaving course in healing the soul through creativity. This is a book about transforming depression and its powerful pull toward suicide into a meaningful alternative. In Transforming Depression, Dr. Rosen applies Carl Jung's method of active imagination to treating depressed and suicidal individuals. Having dealt with depression in his own life and the suicides of loved ones, Dr. Rosen shows that when people learn to confront the rich images and symbols that emerge from their struggles, they can turn their despair into a fountain of creative energy. He details the paths of four patients whose work in painting, pottery, and dance - in conjunction with psychotherapy - led them from depression to a more meaningful life. Their dramatic paintings illustrate the text.

Part One presents an overview of the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual factors involved in the diagnosis of depression.

Part Two provides a new therapeutic approach to treating depression, focusing on the symbolic death and rebirth of the ego (ego-cide) as an alternative to suicide.

Part Three presents in-depth case studies from Dr. Rosen's practice.

Part Four discusses how we can recognize crisis points and how creativity can transform depression. The author pays particular attention to the problem of teen suicide.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David H. Rosen (b. 1945) is an American psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and author.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely changed how I have viewed the suicidal ideation that I have struggled with for nearly thirty years. If Jung resonates with you and you have depression this is the best book I have read on the suicidal issues that can come with it. Even leaving aside the creative aspects of it (which are covered in other books) the first third of this book is a must read.

[Jessie Morford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosen has just a couple notes to play, so it is good this book is not very long. This book definitely gave me a lot to think about and it is worth the read if you’re interested in a Jungian approach to suicide prevention or if you like to read about art therapy helping people. This book was unsurprisingly heteronormative which was annoying. Even so, I am glad I read it.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the book follows the case histories of four patients. Rosen includes paintings and drawings from the patients. I find the concept of egocide offers a lot of hope. I didn't really learn how to do egocide from the book, but I did learn that egocide happens and lives can transform.

[Jindřich Spilka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important work not only for its undoubted therapeutic impact, but also generally in a situation where egoism threatens to destroy humanity as a whole.