"In our increasingly stressful world, it's easy for anyone to feel overwhelmed. But for people with depression, overwhelm can be devastating. Written by an all-star team of self-help experts and authors, this compilation gives readers quick relief for their worst depression symptoms. Readers will learn fast-acting techniques-grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and behavioral activation-to break free from negative thoughts and feelings, find motivation, and get back to living a full, productive life"--
This short, easy-to-use guide offers evidence-based skills grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral activation to help you break free from negative thoughts and feelings, find motivation and live a happier, healthier life. Original.
Your toolkit for managing and overcoming the worst symptoms of depression—quickly and effectively.
In an increasingly stressful world—filled with fear and uncertainty—the prospect of effectively managing your depression can seem overwhelming. Add to that the all-consuming grind of day-to-day life, and things can get overwhelming in a hurry. Everyday tasks can seem like insurmountable challenges, your symptoms pile up, and relief slips further out of reach. Your mood becomes darker, your sense of isolation more extreme, and your motivation falls through the floor. What you need is relief—and STAT!
Written by a veritable dream team of mental health experts, this short, easy-to-use guide offers evidence-based skills grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and behavioral activation to help you effectively manage negative thoughts, get motivated, rediscover hope, and develop healthy habits. Designed to get right to the point, this book wastes no time in giving you the tools you need to quickly improve your mood, get unstuck from difficult feelings, and stay on top of symptoms before they build up and get the best of you. The sooner your symptoms are under control, the sooner you can get back on track—happier, more motivated, and looking forward with hope.
If you’re the type who likes to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of the matter, pick up this book, and pick up the tools inside—relief is only pages away.
In our increasingly stressful world, it’s easy for
anyone to feel overwhelmed. But for people with depression, overwhelm can be devastating. Written by an all-star team of self-help experts and authors, this compilation gives readers quick relief for their worst depression symptoms. Readers will learn fast-acting techniques—grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and behavioral activation—to break free from negative thoughts and feelings, find motivation, and get back to living a full, productive life.
Introduction |
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1 | (1) |
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Part 1 Find Refuge from Negative Thoughts |
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Activity 1 Choose Positive Thoughts |
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1 | (6) |
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Activity 2 The Breath of Life |
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7 | (3) |
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Activity 3 The Gift of the Moment |
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10 | (3) |
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Activity 4 Find a Positive Metaphor |
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13 | (2) |
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Activity 5 Depressive Thoughts as Hypotheses |
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15 | (2) |
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Activity 6 Detect Depressive Deceptions |
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17 | (3) |
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Activity 7 What Timeline Are You On? |
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20 | (3) |
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Activity 8 Identify Sticky Thoughts |
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23 | (2) |
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Activity 9 Thank Your Mind |
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25 | (2) |
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Activity 10 Sticky Moments |
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27 | (2) |
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Activity 11 Hack Your Brain Chemicals |
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29 | (2) |
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Activity 12 Find a Bummer Buddy |
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31 | (20) |
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Part 2 Get Unstuck When You're Down |
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Activity 13 Learn to Let Go |
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51 | |
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Activity 14 Healthy Self-Esteem |
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38 | |
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Activity 15 Follow Meaningful Pursuits |
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10 | (2) |
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Activity 16 Identify What Can't Be Changed |
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12 | (3) |
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Activity 17 Sleep Hygiene 101 |
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15 | (3) |
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Activity 18 Convert Negativity into Positive Goals |
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18 | (32) |
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Activity 19 You Are Flaw-some |
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50 | (2) |
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Activity 20 Avoid Avoidance |
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52 | (3) |
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Activity 21 The Free Trial Membership |
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55 | (2) |
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Activity 22 Hugs and Handshakes |
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57 | (3) |
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Part 3 Beat Hopelessness and Low Motivation |
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Activity 23 Procrastination Flip Technique |
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60 | (1) |
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Activity 24 The "Just Do It" Method |
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61 | (4) |
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Activity 25 Challenge Hopelessness |
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65 | (2) |
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67 | (3) |
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Activity 27 Observe Your Judgments |
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70 | (2) |
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Activity 28 Loving-Kindness Practice |
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72 | (2) |
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Activity 29 Make Snap Decisions |
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74 | (2) |
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Activity 30 The Anti-Laziness Rule |
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76 | (1) |
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Activity 31 Give Yourself Affirmations |
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77 | (2) |
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Activity 32 Write a Thank-You Letter |
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79 | (3) |
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Part 4 Make Easy Habit Changes That You'll Thank Yourself for Later |
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Activity 33 Food to Help Your Mood |
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82 | (3) |
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Activity 34 Act on the A's |
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85 | (2) |
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Activity 55 Get Outside Yourself |
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87 | (5) |
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Activity 36 Overcome Discomfort Dodging |
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92 | |
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Activity 37 Boost Your Emotional Vocabulary |
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91 | (5) |
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Activity 38 Take the Middle Path |
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96 | (2) |
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Activity 39 Identify Positive Emotion Targets |
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98 | (2) |
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Activity 40 Super Sleeping |
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100 | (3) |
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Activity 41 Create an Emergency Plan |
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103 | (3) |
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Part 5 Deal with the Tough Stuff |
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Activity 42 Handle Social Rejection |
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106 | (2) |
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Activity 43 Manage Seasonal Affective Disorder |
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108 | (3) |
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Activity 44 Repair RIPS in Your Relationships |
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111 | (3) |
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Activity 45 Cope with Change |
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114 | (3) |
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Activity 46 Avoid Self-Soothing with Substances |
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117 | (2) |
Appendix: Additional Help and Support Resources |
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119 | (2) |
References |
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121 | |
William J. Knaus, EdD, is a licensed psychologist with more than forty-six years of clinical experience working with people suffering from anxiety, depression, and procrastination. He has appeared on numerous regional and national television shows, including The Today Show, and more than one hundred radio shows. His ideas have appeared in national magazines such as U.S. News & World Report and Good Housekeeping, and major newspapers such as The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. He is one of the original directors of postdoctoral psychotherapy training in rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Knaus is author or coauthor of more than twenty-five books, including The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety, The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression, and The Procrastination Workbook.Alex Korb, PhD, is a neuroscientist, writer, and coach. He has studied the brain and mental health for more than fifteen years, starting with an undergraduate degree in neuroscience from Brown University, before earning a PhD in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is author of The Upward Spiral and The Upward Spiral Workbook, and is currently adjunct assistant professor at UCLA in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences. Outside of the lab, he is available for personal coaching, consulting services, and speaking engagements. He is head coach of the UCLA Women's Ultimate Frisbee team, and has a wealth of experience in yoga and mindfulness, physical fitness, and even stand-up comedy.Patricia J. Robinson, PhD, is director of training and program evaluation at Mountainview Consulting Group, Inc., a firm that assists health care systems with integrating behavioral health services into primary care settings. She is coauthor of Real Behavior Change in Primary Care and The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression. After exploring primary care psychology as a researcher, she devoted her efforts to its dissemination in rural America, urban public health departments, and military medical treatment facilities. Robinson resides in Portland, OR.Lisa M. Schab, LCSW, is a practicing psychotherapist in the greater Chicago, IL, area, and author of eighteen self-help books, including The Anxiety Workbook for Teens and The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens, as well as the teen guided journals Put Your Worries Here and Put Your Feelings Here. She has been interviewed as an expert on the Milwaukee television stations WTMJ-TV and WISN-TV, and for articles in The New York Times, Scholastic's Choices magazine, Teen Vogue, Psych Central, and Your Teen Magazine. Schab has authored regular columns on tweens and teens for Chicago Parent, and on healthy families for The Sun Newspapers. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD, is cofounder of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a cognitive behavioral approach that has gained widespread adoption in the mental health and substance-abuse communities. He is coauthor of Brief Interventions for Radical Change and In This Moment. Strosahl provides training and consultation services for Mountainview Consulting Group, Inc. He is a pioneer in the movement to bring behavioral health services into primary care. He resides in Portland, OR.