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Turning Your Down into Up: A Realistic Plan for Healing from Depression
You Can Hope Again If you feel you will never get out of depression, Dr. Gregg Jantz has one word for hope. Gregg believes that since every person’s path into depression is unique, every path out will be unique as well. And healing is possible. Turning Your Down into Up will help • Determine whether you are depressed • Understand why you can’t “just snap out of it” • Decide whether medication might be a good option for you • See the link between depression and overdependence on social media • Understand how family dynamics affect you • Be encouraged that you can find healing This practical book includes a three-month personal recovery plan that focuses on spiritual renewal, emotional wellness, environmental balance, physical health, relational healing, and tech detox. Along with unique insights into treating the whole person, Turning Your Down into Up includes questions for reflection and journaling prompts. Here you will find real answers…Real freedom…Real hope. “Turning Your Down Into Up is a comprehensive, whole-person approach to curing depression…with new answers and hope for the healing journey.” —Dr. Catherine Hart Weber, author of Discover The Daily Joy of Abundant, Vibrant Living
- GenresPsychology
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2008
9 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 7, 2016
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
Parts of this were interesting to read, but it really boiled down to doing what everyone already knows they should do. Eat right, exercise, sleep, get rid of toxic relationships. Of course there were also the standards in self-help books; journal, think positive thoughts, and end negative self-talk. And don't forget to look into your childhood to discover reasons for the way you look at life.
The book is OK and probably helpful for people who are slightly adrift in their life and looking to get back on a path, but I don't see how the feel good thinking and being told to just get up and go outside is going to help those people whose depression is so intense they can barely force themselves out of bed let alone out of the house.
Parts of this were interesting to read, but it really boiled down to doing what everyone already knows they should do. Eat right, exercise, sleep, get rid of toxic relationships. Of course there were also the standards in self-help books; journal, think positive thoughts, and end negative self-talk. And don't forget to look into your childhood to discover reasons for the way you look at life.
The book is OK and probably helpful for people who are slightly adrift in their life and looking to get back on a path, but I don't see how the feel good thinking and being told to just get up and go outside is going to help those people whose depression is so intense they can barely force themselves out of bed let alone out of the house.
April 23, 2020
I found this book unhelpful for anyone with clinical depression--so unhelpful that it felt like the book misunderstood what depression was entirely. As other reviewers pointed out, this is more of a practical self-help guide for people who are in a slump or a mild struggle, not severe depression. Someone recommended this book while I was in the slump/mild struggle camp, and I found it practical and comprehensive. The tone, however, was almost like the book was dealing with a delicate creature, trying to gently coax you into doing something helpful. I also noticed a reluctance toward medication; the book didn't outright ban medication, but offered the option as a concession or last resort, with some suspicion. This lost some trust for me when it came to some of the book's scientific and/or homeopathic assertions.
From what I understand, actual depression often includes a total lack of motivation, executive dysfunction, lack of energy, emotional numbness, and may also come with plenty of guilt for all of the aforementioned problems. I think this book would actually just add to the existing paralysis and guilt, as it's a big list of to-dos, projects, and tips. It has a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" (although with a bit more compassion) attitude, which may be the exact opposite approach that a severely depressed person needs. While the book tries to approach the topic delicately, the direction and tone hints at the reader's depression being their own fault (or, at least, responsibility), and something that they are obligated to fix.
In the end, it seemed like the book was trying to be compassionate and helpful, but ultimately came form a place of no real empathy or understanding. It felt almost trite compared to real depression--and, ultimately, a bit condescending. I wouldn't give this to a friend that was experiencing depression. At the same time, I don't want to completely throw it out; there a lot of chapters in there with a lot of ideas, and it might be worth it for some people who are searching for something that might help them in a less-than-ideal time of life.
From what I understand, actual depression often includes a total lack of motivation, executive dysfunction, lack of energy, emotional numbness, and may also come with plenty of guilt for all of the aforementioned problems. I think this book would actually just add to the existing paralysis and guilt, as it's a big list of to-dos, projects, and tips. It has a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" (although with a bit more compassion) attitude, which may be the exact opposite approach that a severely depressed person needs. While the book tries to approach the topic delicately, the direction and tone hints at the reader's depression being their own fault (or, at least, responsibility), and something that they are obligated to fix.
In the end, it seemed like the book was trying to be compassionate and helpful, but ultimately came form a place of no real empathy or understanding. It felt almost trite compared to real depression--and, ultimately, a bit condescending. I wouldn't give this to a friend that was experiencing depression. At the same time, I don't want to completely throw it out; there a lot of chapters in there with a lot of ideas, and it might be worth it for some people who are searching for something that might help them in a less-than-ideal time of life.
September 23, 2013
Nobody wants to be depressed, but millions are, and the number is rising. By 2020 depression will be second only to heart disease, as the cause of life debillitating illness (1). Chances are if you do not suffer from depression, someone close to you has or does. Various treatments, therapies and medications abound, which help people (or promise help) who struggle under the weight of it. While healing will look different for different people. there is hope.
Gregory Jantz,PhD., is a psychologist and founder of the Center for Counseling and Health Resources. In his book, Turning Your Down into Up, he avers that theres is hope for those suffering from depression. though the journey out for each will be unique. Jantz examines the various influences which may be the root of our depression (or a contributing factor). These include emotional factors, environmental factors, relational influences, physical influences (like diet or exercise), and spiritual influences. By addressing these various spheres, Jantz presents a holistic approach to healing from depression and even gives a three month plan for healing.
I appreciate Jantz approach. I am not personally someone who struggles with long-term depression. I have had sorrows related to circumstance, but I remain fairly upbeat in my approach to life. I do have family members who struggle more directly than I do. I think Jantz offers some wise guidance through depression and helps strugglers pay attention to some of the latent causes of their depression.He doesn’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to recovery. In this book he challenges readers to overcome emotional issues through positive self talk and intentional gratitude. He helps readers overcome the detrimental effects of stress and advises they set limits on their use of technology. By discussing they physical causes of depression, Jantz makes the case for appropriate self care. He also addresses the underlying issues which affect us in family systems and relationships (including our relationship with God). These are all important aspects of conquering the effects of depression.
There was a lot of good information which I think will be helpful. Each chapter has a workbook section which helps readers work towards their own healing. Jantz does not discuss in-depth the role of psychotropic medication in healing depression. I think that most of what he says will be helpful to depressed people in general, but some may require a pharmaceutical boost in order to work through the issues. I wished that he discussed this more directly, though I appreciate that his section on physical causes allows for a more natural approach. I just think some people need something stronger.
I give this book four stars and recommend it to those who are wondering if they are depressed or who deal with mild depression. Even non-strugglers like myself will be challenged to handle their emotions, set healthy limits and avoid unhealthy environments and foods.
Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for this review.
Gregory Jantz,PhD., is a psychologist and founder of the Center for Counseling and Health Resources. In his book, Turning Your Down into Up, he avers that theres is hope for those suffering from depression. though the journey out for each will be unique. Jantz examines the various influences which may be the root of our depression (or a contributing factor). These include emotional factors, environmental factors, relational influences, physical influences (like diet or exercise), and spiritual influences. By addressing these various spheres, Jantz presents a holistic approach to healing from depression and even gives a three month plan for healing.
I appreciate Jantz approach. I am not personally someone who struggles with long-term depression. I have had sorrows related to circumstance, but I remain fairly upbeat in my approach to life. I do have family members who struggle more directly than I do. I think Jantz offers some wise guidance through depression and helps strugglers pay attention to some of the latent causes of their depression.He doesn’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to recovery. In this book he challenges readers to overcome emotional issues through positive self talk and intentional gratitude. He helps readers overcome the detrimental effects of stress and advises they set limits on their use of technology. By discussing they physical causes of depression, Jantz makes the case for appropriate self care. He also addresses the underlying issues which affect us in family systems and relationships (including our relationship with God). These are all important aspects of conquering the effects of depression.
There was a lot of good information which I think will be helpful. Each chapter has a workbook section which helps readers work towards their own healing. Jantz does not discuss in-depth the role of psychotropic medication in healing depression. I think that most of what he says will be helpful to depressed people in general, but some may require a pharmaceutical boost in order to work through the issues. I wished that he discussed this more directly, though I appreciate that his section on physical causes allows for a more natural approach. I just think some people need something stronger.
I give this book four stars and recommend it to those who are wondering if they are depressed or who deal with mild depression. Even non-strugglers like myself will be challenged to handle their emotions, set healthy limits and avoid unhealthy environments and foods.
Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for this review.
April 3, 2016
If you have ever been plagued by the dark clouds of depression and felt that there was no more hope or nowhere to turn, Gregory L. Jantz PHD will help you understand the pitfalls of this chemical imbalance and how you can appropriately get the help you need. This book is also highly recommended to those who have family members with this disease. Contrary to popular belief, an individual with a mental disorder cannot just wish it away although well meaning friends and relatives will expect them to do so. This stellar book will open your eyes to the fact that depression is a chemical imbalance which needs to be treated appropriately by a psychiatrist and/or psychologist. Depending on the degree and determination of the type of depression, most likely the doctor will prescribe anti-depressants and therapy. The important fact is to realize, the afflicted can get better. Many who have went through treatment are more content in their lives than those who never experienced the difficulties they went through. Dr. Jantz outlines all the symptoms of depression so that the reader can interact. He includes written lessons for the victim to do as well as giving them questions on what they have learnt. This book will prove to be a blessing to all those who read it. I was given the pleasure to review from Walterbrook Multnomah Blogging For Books Program.
October 2, 2016
Book was OK. I was not in the right frame of mind when I had it so skimmed through the second half.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews