Description

Twenty to thirty million Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable depression, and their ranks are growing. Psychologist Michael D. Yapko explains that in order to find relief, more than the current episode of depression must be examined. In Breaking the Patterns of Depression, he presents skills that enable readers to understand and ultimately avert depression’s recurring cycles. Focusing on future prevention as well as initial treatment, the book includes over one hundred structured activities to help sufferers learn the skills necessary to become and remain depression-free.

Breaking the Patterns of Depression begins by translating the clinical literature on psychotherapy and antidepressant medication into language that can be used to enhance an understanding of depression, and to personalize individual cures. Yapko uses a conversational, anecdotal tone that encourages readers to take an active approach to helping themselves.

Special sections entitled “Learn by Doing” and “Shifting Perspectives” help develop the skills necessary to manage difficult experiences. Readers learn how to solve problems effectively, anticipate the likely consequences of their actions, think and act in a direct, goal-oriented fashion, balance different areas of their lives, and use self-knowledge to stay out of harmful situations.

Realistic and helpful Breaking the Patterns of Depression defines what causes depression and, best of all, clarifies what can be done about it. With this knowledge in hand, readers can control their depression, rather than having depression control them.

This book is more than 20 years old and remains even more relevant today than when it was originally published in 1998.

How is that possible?

 

Because in 1998, Dr. Yapko was prescient in telling people that depression was not a disease, it was not due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, and that is was more a social than biological condition.   Now, in 2022 research is being made available to the public about the misinformation about serotonin and the chemical imbalance theory of depression, and we have evidence of what the social isolation of the COVID pandemic did to the rise in depression and anxiety worldwide.

Table of Contents

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