Undoing Depression

What Therapy Doesn't Teach You and Medication Can't Give You

By: Richard O'Connor PhD

Narrated by: Allan Robertson

The best-selling approachable guide that has inspired thousands to manage or overcome depression — fully revised and updated for life in the 21st century.

Depression rates around the world have skyrocketed in the 20‑plus years since Richard O'Connor first published his classic book on living with and overcoming depression. Nearly 40 million American adults suffer from the condition, which affects nearly every aspect of life, from relationships to job performance, physical health, productivity, and, of course, overall happiness. And in an increasingly stressful and overwhelming world, it's more important than ever to understand the causes and effects of depression, and what we can do to overcome it.

In this fully revised and updated edition — which includes updated information on the power of mindfulness, the relationship between depression and other diseases, the risks and side effects of medication, depression’s effect on thinking, and the benefits of exercise — Dr. O'Connor explains that, like heart disease and other physical conditions, depression is fueled by complex and interrelated factors: genetic, biochemical, environmental. But Dr. O'Connor focuses on an additional factor that is often overlooked: our own habits. Unwittingly, we get good at depression. We learn how to hide it, and how to work around it. We may even achieve great things, but with constant struggle rather than satisfaction. Relying on these methods to make it through each day, we deprive ourselves of true recovery, of deep joy and healthy emotion.

Undoing Depression teaches us how to replace depressive patterns with a new and more effective set of skills. We already know how to "do" depression — and we can learn how to undo it. With a truly holistic approach that synthesizes the best of the many schools of thought about this painful disease, and a critical eye toward medications, O'Connor offers new hope — and new life — for sufferers of depression.

©2009 Little, Brown Spark (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"This is a vital and invaluable guide for people who are struggling with depression, as close as a book can come to the curative effects of psychotherapy and medication." (Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon)

"Undoing Depression is a book that anyone who has ever felt depressed, to any degree, can keep nearby as a useful companion. If you are really depressed, chain it to your clothing. Beautifully written, full of dependable and inspiring information, it offers countless creative things to do in the face of depression without trying to conquer it or win battles and wars. The intelligence in this book is deeply satisfying." (Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Dark Nights of the Soul)

"Essential reading for anyone who suffers from depression. The wisdom in these pages speaks directly to each individual, as if O'Connor knows exactly what we're going through. MDSG runs dozens of support groups each week and at our literature tables this is always the best-selling book. Packed with the latest research and fresh ideas, this new, updated edition hasn't lost the engaging style and compassion of the original." (Howard Smith, Director of Operations, Mood Disorders Support Group)

Excellent!

Excellent information on depression and I learned quite a bit that I did not previously realize.

More than I knew before

Trying to learn a lot more about depression. This is a very good book, the author does an excellent job of explaining how people get into depression and how to get out. I really appreciated the work he put into it.

Just what I needed

If you are struggling with depression and want to understand what’s going on, or if you have a loved one who is, read this book.

Wise, validating, and hopeful. One of the best, if not the best self help books I’ve ever read.

One of the only good books on depression

This was one of the only good books on depression I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of them. He talks about so many things that ring true that other books neglect to mention.

This book really helps me

Struggling to get to sleep is the reason I began listening to audiobooks. This book had quite a bit of new information for me. Now that I understand what antidepressants actually do, I’m not hesitant to take them - all of a sudden they’re easier to remember. Now I can see a path through and there’s hope I can and will get better.

Please, read or listen to this book if you’re struggling.

Me sacó del pozo

Es un gran libro para salir de ese lugar horrible en el que te encontrás.