Main description:

As a physician who personally suffers from depression, Susan J. Noonan draws on her own expertise and empathy to create a guide for people who suffer from the disease. Explaining the basics of mental health-including sleep hygiene, diet and nutrition, exercise, routine and structure, and avoiding isolation - "Managing Your Depression" empowers people to participate in their own care, offering them a better chance of getting, and staying, well. Noonan's depression management strategies draw on the best available educational resources, psychoeducational programs, seminars, expert health care providers, and patient experiences. The book is specifically designed to be highly readable for people who are finding it difficult to focus and concentrate during an episode of depression. Cognitive exercises and daily worksheets help track progress and response to therapy and provide valuable information for making treatment decisions. A relapsing and remitting condition, depression affects nearly 15 percent of people in the United States.
"Managing Your Depression" will bring depression management strategies to people who do not have access to mental health programs or who want to learn new skills.

Contents:

List of Tables and Forms
Foreword, by Timothy J. Petersen, Ph.D., Jonathan E. Alpert, M.D., Ph.D., and Andrew A. Nierenberg, M.D.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Mental Health Basics
The Basic Steps
Sleep and Depression
Sleep Hygiene
Diet and Nutrition
Physical Exercise
Routine and Structure
Avoiding Isolation
2. Mood Disorders
Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Fatigue and Depression
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of Elevated Mood
Mood Chart
3. Defining Your Baseline
What Is Your Baseline?
4. Managing Your Mood Disorder
Following Your Treatment Plan
The Relationship with Your Therapist
5. Relapse Prevention
Overview of Relapse Prevention
Triggers
Warning Signs
An Action Plan for Relapse Prevention
6. Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy
Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
Should Statements
Challenging and Changing Your Thoughts
Evidence for and Against
Pleasure and Mastery
7. Strategies to Get You through the Tough Times
Coping and Stress
Mindfulness
Distress Tolerance
Communication Skills
Dealing with Family and Friends
Talking with Your Doctor
Tips for Family and Friends
8. Pulling It All Together
9. Collective Wisdom
Advice from Some Remarkable People
Books of Interest
Conclusion
Glossary
References
Index