Managing Your Depression: What You Can Do to Feel Better

by Susan J. Noonan

A concise, practical guide to managing mood disorders for anyone suffering from these debilitating conditions. As a physician who personally suffers from depression, Susan J. Noonan draws on her own expertise and empathy to create a guide for people who suffer from the disease. Explaining the basics of mental health―including sleep hygiene, diet and nutrition, exercise, routine and structure, and avoiding isolation― Managing Your Depression empowers people to participate in their own care, offering them a better chance of getting, and staying, well. Noonan’s depression management strategies draw on the best available educational resources, psychoeducational programs, seminars, expert health care providers, and patient experiences. The book is specifically designed to be highly readable for people who are finding it difficult to focus and concentrate during an episode of depression. Cognitive exercises and daily worksheets help track progress and response to therapy and provide valuable information for making treatment decisions. A relapsing and remitting condition, depression affects nearly 15 percent of people in the United States. Managing Your Depression will bring depression management strategies to people who do not have access to mental health programs or who want to learn new skills.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help, Psychology

184 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2013

Reviews

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear and concise book filled with strategies and actions you can use to deal with depression.

I had been managing my manic-depression for nearly 20 years without counseling or medication, and it had its ups and downs. Recently, however, I walked away from a job I loved after my depression got the best of me and resulted in a massive panic attack (I never thought they were legit until now, and it was a horrendous experience). I knew it was time to stop lying to myself. I was not "okay" and I needed help.

This book is full of actionable techniques that I used to teach my own students. I guess I forgot that I could use them, too! Having them at my finger tips, and hearing them in someone else's words has been a wonderful thing. When you're in the grips of a low it's difficult to think clearly, but with this book and it's accompanying worksheets it will be much easier, and that's a big help.

If you have struggled with depression, or know someone who does, this book is a great resource. The only reason I didn't absolutely love it is because at times the layout got in the way of the material, which I found distracting. Aside from that, it's an excellent little book and I highly recommend it.

[Bina Artiste · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read with no references to god or the bible. The only thing I would change about the book is calling it mental WELLNESS. Most of the things I am doing on my road to recovery.

[Lauren Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best book I have read on depression yet!

I felt the author was very knowledgeable and well-researched without sounding stiff and callous. She gave great practical tips and examples, which allow for a lot of reflection and adjustment to use within your own life. I really appreciate this book, and highly suggest it for those struggling with depression.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great, and practical, read for someone dealing with depression or a loved one trying to understand a persons depression. I will definitely take a lot of these tips and suggestions, and work to apply them in my daily life.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very into level review of depression and how to manage your symptoms. Good reminders for one's struggling with depression

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that would be a good resource to have, to go back on when you need it, but as a one time read, didn’t really have any new info.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good templates but otherwise basic information you can get on the internet.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how easy it was to read this book. It is really hard to get through a non fiction book for me personally and I loved how it was layed out.

[Lisa Mendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the worksheets and action plans. I also like how the book is laid out overall
It’s a good book for those who have depression or bipolar or family members.
I would recommend it to others.

[Terie Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby. 4.0 Lots of great takeaways.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read anything about managing depression, even in a women's magazine, you know the basic advice in this book: sleep well, eat well, be productive, engage with positive people, etc.

If you need some reassurance about how to help yourself, this book might help.

The most puzzling aspect of the book is its long digression on bipolar disorder. When did bipolar disorder become an aspect of depression?

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a book to reassure you that you can do this. That you got it. Some of the tips and strategies to make it are interesting and helpful, like the personal statement part. There's a lot of charts and forms and stuff to fill out. Part self-help, part-workbook is what it should have been marketed as. I liked it. The reassurance was nice, personally. Sometimes you need the encouragement.

[Grete · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic introduction to managing depression, intended to be approachable and brief. If you've read much about the subject, you've probably encountered most of this information before. Still, it presents some useful exercises, and the chapter on CBT is especially practical and more detailed than other sections.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I knew most of what the author said and prefer psychology texts that are more sophisticated.

[Tanya M Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

this book gave me some great insight and valuable resources and tools. I found many different ways of managing and coping with depression and stress/anxiety

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't really teach you anything you haven't heard before, but it is encouraging. Full of charts and lists to lead you on the self-help journey.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice, non judge mental, practical book on depression and how you can help yourself before, during, and how to avoid future episodes.