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 Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4943 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Synopsis
A vigorous immune system is vital to good health, both physical and mental. Chronic fatigue, endless colds, and symptoms of allergy are just some all too common manifestations of a weakened immune system, while there is increasing awareness of outright autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome. The good news is that there are many ways in which we can strengthen our immune systems. This book looks at: how your immune system works and what can hamper it, such as poor diet, lack of sleep or exercise, stress, or depression; warning signs of a weakened immune system; treatments; building and maintaining a strong immune system - the self-defence plan; nutrition; your attitude and outlook; exercise and skin-brushing; getting enough sleep; and alternative treatments - herbs and vitamin supplements.

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Customer Reviews

truly brilliant
i dont suffer from depression myself however my partner has been suffering varying degrees for probably the whole of our relationship, and i suspect many years before this too. i bought this book for him on recommendation from a friend, and i have to say it was highly insightful and it seemed like the author was describing my partner and his life throughout the book. it explains the biology behind stress induced depression, but isnt condescending or inaccessible to those of us who cant even grasp the science behind osmosis! despite the sensitive nature of the subject, there were even a few laugh-out-loud moments. all in all it's a very positive message that the book sends. my partner has not yet read it, however having been referred to the author of the book for treatment (which i suspect will be excellent!) he is now more inclined to do so. i would recommend this book both for suffers of deperssion and for those who are supporting them in their day to day life, as it will confirm just how important you are in their long and sometimes difficult road to recovery.

Brilliant book on helping you understand yourself
My friend reccommended that I read this book and I am so glad she did. It has made me realise that I should not be ashamed that I am suffering from depression and also has shown me how I got here and has really helped me on the road to recovery. It puts your mind at rest of the stigma attatched to taking anti-depressants and why they are helpful.
Easy to read which you can pick up and put down. My husband has also found this book useful to read in helping him understand what is going on with me.
The author is brilliant and I thoughly recommend this.
Thanks

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.