Healing Depression for Life: The Personalized Approach that Offers New Hope for Lasting Relief

by Gregory L. Jantz, Keith Wall (With)

Finally, there is new hope for those who suffer from depression.
For decades, standard treatment for depression hasn't changed. Sufferers typically are prescribed antidepressant medication and talk therapy. Period. But at least 30 percent of depression sufferers aren't helped by standard treatment. Instead, they are left still searching for true and lasting relief.

In Healing Depression for Life, Dr. Gregory Jantz offers a new way forward. Drawing on the innovative whole-person approach that has made his treatment center one of the top 10 depression treatment facilities in the US, Dr. Jantz reveals the treatments, practices, and lifestyle changes that can provide lasting relief from depression--by addressing its chemical, emotional, physical, intellectual, relational, and spiritual causes. Not all depression is the same, and not all people with depression are the same. Healing Depression for Life will help you find the missing puzzle pieces that could make all the difference in overcoming your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness and put you on the path to lasting joy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Christina Baehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book to review, partially because I read most of it about a year ago. I will say that I found it helpful in giving me a wide range of strategies with which to first comprehend and then tackle my seasonal depression (sometimes called SAD). As with all self-help books of our age, it occasionally touts itself as providing singular/invaluable/irreplaceable insight—a claim I am always suspicious of, especially when it comes to a subject so written about as this one. However, I didn’t find this dash of hubris unbearable.
I really appreciated the multi-faceted approach, touching on everything from sleep issues to nutrition to medication to faith. Near the end, one section veered a little close to positive affirmation for me, but I did appreciate the author’s encouragement to pursue joy.
While I would not expect this book to “cure” anyone, I would recommend it as one practical and useful part of your approach to handling depression, if you suffer from it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Gregory Jantz, the founder of A Place of Hope, is the very fine work of the holistic approach for people suffering from eating disorders, depression, anxiety, with trauma. From page one I found this book to be straight forward and step by step. It could be used by just one person or a group.
I loved the way the book was laid out. Part one was mind, two was soul and three was body. The self-assessment tools were in the back with 35 other pages of helpful hints. Each chapter was followed by a personal action plan. Just reading this book would not fix you but if you managed to consciously follow each step writing and journaling (no small quick fix) you would chapter by chapter see great improvement in all aspects of your life. There were no quick Bible verses, and quotes, just steady as you go work by you the troubled individual moving forward. No lectures or reprimands, all positive action steps with examples. A very timely discussion on the effect of media and technology and its negative effect on your sleeping, try keeping a log, analyzing your light and routine. A periodic digital detox and discovering new healthy escapes in life. Hard looks at addictions and their role and what we are trying to avoid by these behaviors.
I can’t say enough positive things about this book, if you could only have one self help book I would strongly suggestion buying this one and returning to it often. It was never preachy but so personal that you felt Dr Jantz had taken the morning off just to help you, as a friend.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is for people who have no clue about depression and how to get help. Personally, I didn’t not learn much from it that I didn’t already have knowledge of. Aside from recent statistics, the chapter on supplements were the only help I received from the book.

[Sarah Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for those who have depression or think they might have it. The author does a great job of covering all aspects that could be bringing on depression: chemical imbalances, hurt and pain from your past that you haven't dealt with, what foods you are or are not eating, vitamin deficiencies and so on.

[Silas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book offered a broad, but not deep survey of several approaches you could use to address depression. It does seem directed at someone who has very little prior experience with depression treatment. You will also get more out of it if you are Christian. The book gets progressively more preachy as it goes, which might be fine if you agree with the author's position, but is quite tedious if you do not. There is very little effort put into trying to make the spiritual angle accessible to other faith groups beyond a brief mention at first, and that is more or less ignored through the rest of the book. The chapters about nutrition and supplements don't demonstrate a particular expertise that makes me believe them any more than I do a random blog article. It's not that any of the advice is particularly bad (apart from the Christian elements being rather one-sided), it's just that it isn't very deep or worth the time to read if you have read anything else about depression beyond maybe a doctor's pamphlet. I have no doubt that it could help some people who are completely out of their element considering the possibility of depression, but as someone who has lived with depression for decades, I didn't get a great deal out of this other than deciding to possibly try a probiotic supplement whose efficacy has yet to be shown.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like most of the advice was a little superficial, didn’t dig in where I was hoping it would. But the list of helpful vitamin supplements is worth the read for me. I already take many vitamins, but didn’t know about a lot of the ones mentioned in this book. Depending on your depression struggle, you may get something out of this, and not just what I did.

[Mark Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that clearly offers a strategy for helping depressed people. The author adds his personal experience with depression and it truly gives the plan credibility. Absolutely agree with the author that the solution is multifaceted, with things like sleep, nutrition, toxic emotions and others all needing to be addressed for a lasting cure that is superior to medication alone. I am a fan of the other have heard him speak a couple of times and would highly recommend reading this book but also watching some of his lectures.

[Jeanette Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. It really helped me to understand that there are many different causes of depression. It's not cut and dry. I enjoyed the workbook too!

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than I expected. I learned a lot here and may need to re-read it because it's so informative.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible, helpful whole life approach- addresses body and soul

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of a wealth of information regarding mental heath. It is an excellent resource for those who struggle with depression or if you care for someone who does.

[Libby Bork · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very scientifical, with studies to back up opinions. Definitely a challenging read if you’re not ready to work through these issues.

[Flavius Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book for overall health knowledge, not only for depressed people, but for every human

[Hoyayii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical advises on how to combat depression! As someone who struggles wih MDD, I find this book very helpful in understanding my condition.

This is not like the typical self-help books that give general out of nowhere advices. This book is specifically designed to help those who struggle with depression. At first I got so excited that I told myself this is all I need and I dont need therapy. However, the author made it clear that although this book is vastly helpful, it is necessary to seek professional help.

The author employs what he call a Whole person approach wherein every aspect of one's life must be examined. He pointed out that most of the past treatments only addressed some problems and not getting to the root of it. For example, some doctors only check what a person do on a daily basis but neglects asking what they eat. Thus, not realizing that what they eat might be causing a problem which then leads to a malfunction that affects their whole system. I learned that it is best to address issues related to our body, mind, and soul. These areas must be discussed at length to understand what proper intervention must be utilized. I loved that the author provides specific scenarios I have encountered and then provides a specific solution to them. Goes to show how experienced they are.

The downside I guess is the time frame of this book. It has been 5 years since it was published so most probably some of the things that may be effective then may not be effective now. But still I believe in the whole person approach and lately I've been trying to employ most of the advices he said. Hoping to see results in the near future.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this on a Goodreads giveaway and hoped it would give some insight into a topic I rarely read about or explore. I read it more slowly than a normal fiction novel I enjoy so that I could take in each chapter and think about the action items. There were some helpful tips and I will say that it has inspired me to look into the subject further.

[Noni Fro (Janon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered the set of this book and workbook for my daughter. She hasn't picked it up, but I devoured the book version. This book is excellent for not only people struggling with depression but with stress, addiction, anger and so on.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an informative book..I will be reading it again very soon!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self help. Self help. Self help. Just do it.