Depression and anxiety devastate relationships, our health, and our sense of well-being. These mental illnesses run in my family. I’ve openly shared my struggle with agoraphobia. Other family members have experienced severe depression resulting in hospitalization. Unfortunately, I ended up getting sick over the Christmas holidays. So, I took the downtime to read The 10-Step Depression Relief Workbook. The publisher released it for sale on Amazon the day after Christmas, 2017. While it is not light reading, it is enlightening.
The kind publisher sent me a free review copy. On a technical level, the workbook uses laymen’s terminology, offering a high-level overview of CBT and a brief description of other therapeutic methods. The natural writing style is simple to follow and comprehend.
About the Depression Relief Workbook
The author of the forward, Judith S Beck, Ph.D. is the daughter of Aaron T Beck MD. He developed CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy. She praises the workbook authors saying they “distilled the key ingredient of this evidence-based treatment.” The 10-Step Depression Relief Workbook takes a holistic approach, integrating mindfulness and healthy lifestyle.
Beck suggests that family members of patients would also benefit from the read. Additionally, I believe that everyone, not just those dealing with anxiety and depression, can benefit from reading the chapter about procrastination. It offers actionable suggestions to help you establish a routine and become more productive.
The Steps
The workbook delineates depression from normal sadness and discusses mental health statistics. Then, readers are encouraged to take the first step; completing a depression inventory rating scale that helps determine the reader’s level of depression. Next, it identifies several types of depression and differing symptoms.
In addition to educating readers to recognize depression symptoms, the book teaches a skill set that empowers people to take an active role in their recovery.
The book helps readers identify depressive symptoms, recognize destructive thought patterns, and set actionable and attainable goals to reframe negative thought processes. Further, the book encourages a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle incorporating physical exercise and hobbies vital to improving self-image and mental health.
My recommendations
Since this is a workbook, I do recommend purchasing the printed version or keeping a spiral-bound notebook on hand.
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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18 Comments
fashionmommywm
January 15, 2018 - 6:38 amI think it is great that there exists self help for depression in the form of a workbook which can help you identify issues and triggers.
Alicia Taylor
January 15, 2018 - 3:57 pmIt goes deeper than that, though. It also teaches you ways you may be sabotaging your own growth and It also gives you steps to overcoming those behaviors.
Kiwi
January 14, 2018 - 2:30 amI love there are holistic approaches to depression in this book. I really hope this book will help someone.
Bismah Bonnie
January 13, 2018 - 1:41 amBooks can be a real life saver for many people suffering from depression as they may feel shy or embarrassed to reach out for support. Books can also help educate people as there is still so much stigma attached to mental illnesses and depression which needs to change.
Rosey
January 12, 2018 - 12:41 amIt is always nice to know about resources. I work in a community where these kinds of suggestions are very helpful.
daniellecrown1
January 11, 2018 - 2:40 pmTaking a step in the right direction, but using this book, may be just what someone needs to have a huge life change.
Jessica Taylor
January 11, 2018 - 1:48 pmI work in the mental health field, so I deal with depression a lot first hand. This would come in really handy to a lot of our clients.
Alicia Taylor
January 11, 2018 - 3:21 pmI was married to a therapist for years and went to school for psychology with plans to work in the field. I worked as a volunteer crisis counselor and really thought the concrete steps were great! I’m a fan of CBT and DBT, though.
chewoutloud
January 4, 2018 - 11:08 pmSo many do suffer, and too many suffer silently. This is a great resource for those dealing with depression. It might help to gain some perspective about what’s going on. Thanks for sharing this.
Evelyn | PathofPresence.com
January 4, 2018 - 1:08 pmHow wonderful that this resource is available. When one falls into depression, it may feel very isolating. I am delighted to see that this is available. Thanks for spreading the awareness about this.
Cia Black
January 3, 2018 - 11:18 amTHis book is appealing to me for many reason but the main one would be that often find suffering at times. I’m always looking for ways to help get myself out of the rough spots.
Anup Das
January 3, 2018 - 10:01 amLooks like I should definitely check this book soon. This might really help me out from my depression.
drewandtrishstravelsandadventures
January 3, 2018 - 4:56 amLooks like something everyone could use. I would love to go through the improving self image and mental health section.
lucicoo
January 3, 2018 - 2:35 amI will defiantly have to check this book out soon. This might really help me out.
조이 Czjai (@RebelSweetHrt)
January 3, 2018 - 12:28 amI know someone who would greatly benefit from this book. I think this book will be a great read for everyone, and not just the ones suffering from depression.
Alexa Brooks
January 2, 2018 - 11:03 pmThis sounds like a must read for everyone. I could benefit too from the procrastination chapter.
Venus Fitness-Shannon
January 2, 2018 - 4:12 pmA great resource for those suffering. I have suffered in the past and used a book myself. Tools can help.
scrapbookadventures365
January 2, 2018 - 3:42 pmThis sounds like a really good book, thanks for the tips.