The Good Mood: The New Psychology of Overcoming Depression

by Julian L. Simon

Julian Simon was depressed for 13 long years, living each day under a black cloud of sadness and pain. Simon consulted psychiatrists and psychologists of several schools, and read widely and critically in the psychological literature, desperate to find some therapy that would banish his depression. Eventually he began to find help in the writings of cognitive therapists. Simon cured his own depression within weeks, and remained depression-free for the rest of his life. He made innovative contributions to the cognitive approach, resulting in his own distinctive technique, Self-Comparisons Analysis.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help

Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one has me stoked (how surfer is this?) more than any I've read in a long time. Very cool idea of cognitive psychotherapy self help for depression. This has already helped me beyond any medication or shrinkage. Recommend to anyone who struggles.

[Ellen McKeown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit it was a difficult read for me. Seeing yourself in books is rarely easy and in this case a bit painful. The author has an interesting attitude about depression, having suffered from it for over 14 years himself. This is a very scholarly book, and I get the feeling that this is someone’s Master’s Thesis by the way it is written, annotated and the book is even online in its entirety! (Only teachers are stupid enough to do that. We tend to share everything we know.)

He believes that all sadness is caused by comparisons. Mood = (Perceived state of oneself) divided by (Hypothetical benchmark state). I even took notes about this book. A lot to think about.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ideas in this book are pretty good. I like the commonsense approach and the idea that your happiness is within your own grasp, that years of therapy are not necessarily called for. There are a few eyebrow-raising statements, but not too many. I don't like the apologetic, I'm trying to please everyone and offend no one tone that he takes when he writes about religion in the values section. He dithers so much he is mostly incomprehensible, but when he talks about his own success with values therapy and his experiences using his own religion in this way, he makes more sense. This is a minor complaint, the book has real value.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book.