If you suffer from depression you are not alone, and you are much stronger than you think. This best-selling book, written by a leading consultant psychiatrist, explains that people with depression do battle with pressures and stresses that other people would run away from, until their bodies can take no more. In this book, depression is placed authoritatively as a physical illness, from which recovery is possible.

Dr Cantopher provides a comprehensive, accessible overview of depressive illness, guiding the reader through the nature of depression, its history, symptoms, causes and treatments, as well as myths along the way. Warm and supportive, this new edition, which also includes the latest on medications, stresses that sufferers should not blame themselves, but can take hope from the fact that there is meaning in their illness, and that getting better is a real option.

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Product Description

If you suffer from depression you are not alone - it affects 15.5 million in the US, and more than 3 million in the UK - and, you are much stronger than you think. This best-selling book, written by a leading consultant psychiatrist, explains that people with depression do battle with pressures and stresses that other people would run away from, until their bodies can take no more. In this book, depression is placed authoritatively as a physical illness, from which recovery is possible. Dr Cantopher provides a comprehensive, accessible overview of depressive illness, guiding the reader through the nature of depression, its history, symptoms, causes and treatments, as well as myths along the way. Warm and supportive, this new edition, which also includes the latest on medications, stresses that sufferers should not blame themselves, but can take hope from the fact that there is meaning in their illness, and that getting better is a real option.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15525 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Review
'In the battle to beat depression, this book represents the definitive weapon.' --Ruth Lavery, DEPEND

'This book should be read by everybody but especially by those who are affected by depression, whether they be carer, medical professional or just someone interested in this destructive illness… It offers invaluable insight into depression and promotes a level of self-awareness, which if heeded could keep many of us a lot healthier.' --Depression Alliance

About the Author
Dr Tim Cantopher is Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at the Priory Hospital, Woking. He has published extensively in academic research and has written another book for Sheldon Press, Stress-Related Illness.

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Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Book, Marvelous Advise A Life Saver
This book is excellent, because it made me feel that I was not going mad, but just very stressed out, which led me to being depressed! . A few months ago, something inside me just cracked and I was unable to cope with anything or anyone anymore! This book as thought me that my problem is quite simply a physical one, that part of my brain which had been so overloaded with stress for so long, blew a fuse inside my head! Since then I have been following this books advise, and I'm a lot more informed about my condition which is such a great help in understanding my problems! I feel like the book was written for me, as I can identify with so much of it, and I am sure it will be a huge help to many others whom also live a stressful life! Many Thanks to the Author Tim Cantopher you saved me, and to my doctor who suggested that I read your book!

Essential reading for anyone with stress-related depression
This book has revolutionised the way I view myself and my depression.

It's not a self-help book as such. It provides information on stress-related depression, with occasional bits of advice. There are no exercises to complete. Intead, Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong helps you to understand how your illness developed, why you need to be gentle with yourself and what you need to do to get better.

I first became ill with depression after pushing myself too hard during my final year at university. For years, I thought of myself as weak. I struggled to cope with everyday life, was often too depressed to work, and I hated myself for not being able to function like a "normal" human being. Tim Cantopher turned that view of myself on its head. He argues that those who develop stress-related depression are actually hard-working, perfectionistic people with a strong work ethic who burn themselves out. This was very true of me but in the mire of negative thoughts that's part and parcel of depression, I hadn't been able to see it until someone else pointed it out.

Before reading this book, I'd tried many CBT-based self-help books with practical exercises to complete. These were very helpful on one level - challenging negative thoughts makes a huge difference - but on another level they just fed into my perfectionism issues. I always felt like I should be doing more to fight against my depression. I pushed myself too hard and it was a vicious circle.

Since reading this book I've completely changed my approach to depression. I still use CBT, but in moderation, and I make sure I take some time out every day to relax and do something I feel like doing. With the help of medication and a therapist, I've now recovered from depression and am living the life I want to lead.

If I have one criticism of this book, it's that the explanation of how antidepressants work is a little simplistic, and theories are presented as facts. Cantopher stresses the need for medication, which was true in my case, but I'm not sure it's true for everyone. However, even if you're against the idea of drugs, don't let that put you off the book. The rest of it is truly life-changing.

Simple guide to depression
The Amazon synopsis for this book appears to be incorrect as it rattles on about the immune system and herbs... not what this book is about.

This is a pretty simple book to explain all the symptoms of depression and ways of getting better. I have suffered depression on and off for about 30 years and have accumulated quite a few self help books...I recommend this one as a starting point, although you might only manage a couple of pages if your concentration levels are up the creek.

"ignore those who tell you to ...pull yourself together" (p37) something bosses, relatives and partners seem to come out with. Point them in the direction of p37-38 to explain why.... "the average person in the pits of a depressive illness has no more than about 10-15 minutes of available energy for anything demanding".

I found the "HOOVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM" test(p49) (during your Recovery phase) very good advice .ie. if you're hoovering and after 10 mins you get tired, SWITCH it OFF and LEAVE it there. And let yourself lie down.

The book also talks about anti-depressants, psychotherapy, CBT etc. A useful book.