Aaron T. Beck's "Depression" is regarded as a classic. Its emphasis is on the diagnosis and treatment of depression, including manic depression (bipolar disorder), and other affective (mood) disorders. There is much more detail regarding the diagnosis of affective disorders than one would find in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV). Of particular importance is the inclusion of the Beck Depression Index, a psychological test used to evaluate people for depression. People with a background in both mental health and psychological testing are familiar with the Beck Depression Index. A good portion of the book is devoted to the Beck Depression Indicator (as a subjective assessment medium). Additionally, Beck discusses patterns of behavior and the manifestation of depression in dreams.

A portion of the book is devoted to theories of depression, dealing primarily with 20th century theories of depression. If you want to view depression in a historical context, there is nothing better than Jackson's "Melancholia and Depression." However, we digress at this point. We must remember that this work was copyrighted in 1967, and that there has been significant research on affective disorders since then. The discussion of psychopharmacological intervention does not discuss the selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. The work of Martin E. P. Seligman, also of the University of Pennsylvania, is not mentioned because it was not completed by the time of the release of this publication. The strongest appeal of this book is the use of cognitive therapy in the treatment of depression.

This book has value to academic libraries, mental health professionals and students, as well as people who are interested in the study of depression and mood disorders. In addition, those who have a family member suffering from depression may be given an insight into the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder through reading this book. People who buy this book should also consider purchasing Martin E. P. Seligman's "Learned Optimism," as well as Jungian analyst Julia Kristeva's "Dark Sun."

Cognitive Therapy of Depression is a classic in its own right: It gives clear examples of the symptoms and how to treat them using cognitive therapy. For anyone remotly interested in psychology or the theories behind depression this book is a must have.

This book is the most important book ever written in the field of cognitive therapy. Clearly written, informative, helpful to beginning and advanced clinicians, it is a classic. For anyone interested in learning how to conduct cognitive therapy, this book is simply required reading. Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., Director, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, NYC

This book was so central to my recovery from a long period of depression that I call it my lifesaver - I don't need it any more but I still dip into it occasionally for reinforcement. It may not be for everybody. Some people may find that the revelations are self-evident or obvious but there will be others who missed the lessons about life in this book in their childhood for whatever reason and need to learn these precepts later on in life - I think there is something in this little book for everybody, however well held together they are. It is a little treasure of wisdom and common sense culled from various sources that has the power to change one's outlook on life to a more positive one. I particularly found the description of the role of the ego to be useful in understanding my own psychological make-up. Let's hope it's reissued.

This book gets down to the substance of human psychology and how the reader can take this information to improve ones life. It is replete with Universal principles with easy to understand concepts to apply to every day life. the author has an uncanny way of repeating the same principles over and over again, yet with each chapter gives the reader a fresh perspective and different angle of the material presented.

The author clearly delineates the two opposing forces of thought and how they trap us in continual misery; the veritible roller coster of human existance.

Three forces are exposed and explained. The first two forces in the realm of thought, and the third force in the realm of feeling. The first two forces oppose each other and make ones life miserable. The third force, the reconciling force, harmonizes the former and spiritualy, mentaly, and emotionaly uplifts the individual. A must read.

This book helped me realize that my life was just a series of choices. Some things I could control: how I felt, thought, and the actions I took, and then there was the rest of the world. I have no control over that so, why stress? There is so much valuable information. Like how on your deathbed, the only person you will be accountable to is yourself. If you had lived others wishes, dreams, guilt-trips, whatever...not a good choice. Thanks Gary for this book. Reading this in '85 has enhanced my life greatly!! I have lived as I should, and have no regrets so far. Why wasn't this a bestseller??? I can't imagine anyone's life that wouldn't greatly benefit from your.. formulas, ideas, perspective. I always looked for more copies for friends and family, but to no success. My copy is old and tattered,it's been around world and sailing for 10 years. My favorite book!! Please find another publisher and reprint. Thanks again, Sandy

The dependency belief list on pages 188-190 is worth the
price of the book all by itself.

THe book covers physical, economic, emotional, social, etc
dependencies and how to get more independent or shall we
say interdependent.

I haven't gotten much personal counseling, but if I did,
I would want to use this book to work up a list of issues
to give the counselor. Otherwise, they'll take your money
and it will be slow going and a lot of wasted sideways.

This book is about the "unconscious denials" which we
have in these areas. You won't realize the extent of your
beliefs until you see them mentioned in black and white.
THey are not all 100%, he allows for percentages also!

mixture of pop psychology and feel good self help stuff. fwiw, it hit me at the right time. i loved it.

Here's what I like:
pages 20-21 list of factors in dealing with
feelings
pages 25-26 list of mental blockage indicators
pages 30-31 kinds of resistance to change
pages 40-48 emotional strategies ==> how
to improve emotional intelligence!!!
pages 136-138 list of inappropriate communication
techniques.
The general strategies developed in pages 1-96 are
applied later to anxiety, anger, loneliness, depression.
An appendix expands this list to confusion, disappointment,
envy, facial tics, frustration, guilt, and helplessness.

i have a copy of this book i have referred to many times since the 80's. i do not know the authors, nor do i have any vested interest in a submitting a complimentary review. i have never submitted such a review before. i attest that this book is the single most helpful self-help book that i have ever had the good fortune to read. in one's darkest hour, it can help you INSTANTLY...i am happy it is still available, and i am buying a copy for a friend in need (not wanting to part with my own!)

Among the hundreds of serious and not-so pop psych books I've read, "Rapid Relief" actually works. Particularly useful is the "emotional scale" which can help you understand what you or others are going through as you go through your ups and downs.

However "Rapid" is NOT a substitute for deep work with an qualified, experienced and insightful therapist. Instead it's an execellent source of day to day coping stratgies. For eight bucks, that's quite a deal.

This book was an interesting book and, undoubtedly, an important book from the professional stand-point. However, from the layman's stand-point, I thought it was a little too intense. There were sections that I had to go back and reread several times in order to understand what the authors were trying to say. I think this was because I am a layman with only General Psych 101 as a background. I can not, however, speak as to its rating for a professional.

As a lifelong sufferer from various anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, OCD, Panic states)and a prolific reader of self help books, I can say that this book contains more insight into anxiety disorders than virtually any book I have ever read on the subject. Dr's Beck and Emery touch upon just about every area that an anxiety sufferer might want to know about. They write with eloquence and insight, compassion and understanding. You really feel that all other books are derivative of this one, because this work is the definitive work on anxiety. A word of caution: I truly feel that whereas the layman (that's me and you)can gain much from this book, it seems to be oriented to the professional.A type of manual or bible for the therapist. As such, it's not necessarily the book that you would curl up to at the fireplace.(For a book of that ilk -and this is a compliment- read Claire Weeks: "Hope and Help for your nerves", my other favorite book).Still, if you take it for what it's worth (and that's alot) it's simply replete with strategies and perspectives that simply cannot be found elsewhere.If you can extract these nuggets, you'll find your wall covered with excerpts from this book, that you could use as a daily guide to living through the sometimes tormenting world of anxiety. Buy it. Covet it. But take it in pieces. Like an singular encyclopedia of the mind, rather than a rah-rah pick me up book that feels good, but doesn't leave you off any better than you started. P.S. Beside Beck and Weekes, Reid Wilson is also a terrific self help writer.

Every day, veterans of the Vietnam War commit suicide in deep depression. With the United States almost continually cutting its Veterans Administration budget, you would think that the V.A. would give up, but books like those of Beck help it treat and cure depression and anxiety. The Cognitive Therapy uses Socratic questioning, training people to ask why they feel sad or anxious, what their answers mean, to substitute more effective coping thoughts for ineffective thoughts and wrong ideas (illogical ideas, like "everybody is against me," "I'm born to fail," etc.). Patients record in diaries or logs what events trigger these wrong thoughts and learn to instantly respond with other thoughts and actions. This is one of the greatest books in psychology and psychiatry, and should be read by the young people of all ages (many of whom are depressed) as well as the older ones.