Growing from Depression: A Practical and Philosophical Self-Help Guide

What if depression were a blessing as well as a curse? This is a book about how depression can have benefits as well as costs, and how to reap those benefits while making yourself feel better—better, in fact, than ever before.

Drawing on psychiatry, psychology, philosophy, and literature, Dr Neel Burton explores depression not only as an illness to be treated, but also as an opportunity for insight, growth, and transformation.

Semi-finalist, the BookLife Prize

Highly Commended, the BMA Book Awards

You have, in some sense, embarked on the hero’s journey. Despite being ill-fated, despite starting out as a victim and underdog, the hero is able to rise up to life and experience it in its horror and fullness, rather than merely suffer or survive it and occasionally drink its dregs like so many of us do.

In myth, the aspirant has to travel through hell, or deep into the forest or labyrinth, before slaying the monster and re-emerging as a hero.

If your depression is the journey through the Inferno, then let this book be your guiding Virgil.

If your depression is the descent into the Cretan labyrinth, then let this book be Ariadne’s ball of red thread.

A comprehensive, sympathetic, and thought-provoking guide for those who want to explore their depression in more depth. —The British Journal of Psychiatry

Neel is an incredibly insightful and elegant writer, with a deep knowledge of all he surveys. —Dr James Davies, psychotherapist, author of Cracked

I have read most of Dr. Neel Burton's books and have enjoyed them immensely … All in all, I found this to be a very insightful and engaging book on depression. —Jamie Bee, Amazon.com Top 50 Reviewer

I've read many Neel Burton books. He's a wonderful writer and able to immerse you lightly in pretty heavy stuff. —Adrian Bailey, Vine Voice

About the author

Dr Neel Burton FRSA is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College in the University of Oxford, and the winner of several book prizes. His work features regularly in the likes of Aeon and Psychology Today and has been translated into several languages.

Contents

Part I: Understanding depression

1. What is depression?
2. What does depression feel like?
3. How bad can things get?
4. What is psychosis?
5. Who suffers from depression?
6. What causes depression?
7. How is depression diagnosed?
8. CBT, mindfulness, and other talking treatments
9. Antidepressant drugs
10. Electroconvulsive therapy
11. A philosophy of depression

Part II: Modular self-help

1. The magical ring that lifts depression
2. Correcting thinking errors
3. Positive illusions vs depressive realism
4. Managing stress
5. Managing anxiety
6. A philosophical cure for anxiety
7. Facing up to death
8. Facing up to life
9. The happiness trap
10. The philosophy of happiness
11. Aristotle on eudaimonia
12. Seneca on success
13. Dealing with bad news
14. Coping with grief and bereavement
15. The view from above
16. The Stoic archer
17. Profiting from boredom
18. Getting out of your head
19. The Buddhist angle
20. Cultivating gratitude
21. Chicken soup for the soul
22. Mastering sleep
23. Releasing endorphins
24. The magic of music
25. Coping with psychotic symptoms
26. Coming off alcohol and drugs
27. Fighting thoughts of self-harm
28. Fighting suicidal thoughts
29. The philosophy of suicide
30. Building relationships
31. The 7 types of love
32. Dealing with insults
33. Building self-esteem
34. The wounded healer

◆ Grab your copy now for a new and powerful way of looking at depression.

Although depression self-help books abound, it is rarer to see one that speaks of growing through depression, rather than conquering it. Readers who have struggled with depression will find this book comforting; depression can be a useful tool in one's life, allowing a person the time necessary to slow down, take stock in their life, and make needed changes to be more comfortable in their existence. Burton offers up countless strategies for improving one's situation, and gives honest, thoughtful feedback about the efficacy of these interventions. —The BookLife Prize (Semi Finalist)

Publisher - Acheron Press

Language - English

Perfect Bound

Contributors

By author

Neel Burton

Published Date - 2023-05-28

ISBN - 9781913260439

Dimensions - 21.6 x 13.8 x 1.3 cm

Page Count - 218