Posted by wcfrench on November 23, 2002, at 1:19:03
In reply to Burns NOT a med-basher » wcfrench, posted by mattDDS on November 22, 2002, at 23:45:42
You may be right. I am just basing this off of what I read from a reviewer, I'll share it with you. This is a review of "Feeling Good The New Mood Therapy", perhaps you read a different one? Anyway, the reviewer writes...
Having had severe clinical depression for years, I had scoffed at "talk therapies" and never investigated them. I bought "Feeling Good" because I was curious about it and had read several psychiatrists rave about it. Overall, I feel that this book is a good one worth reading by any depressive. However I also believe, from personal experience, that some of the material in "Feeling Good" is incorrect. Dr. Burns obviously does not believe that depression is a biological, brain based disease but more of a "psychological" issue amenable to psychology based therapies. He poo poos the whole notion of depression being "physically based." I had a major problem with that portion of the book. And then later on, in the drugs section of "Feeling Good" Dr. Burns gives the MAOIs a glowing review. The MAOIs are the most potent antidepressants in the psychiatrist's arsenal and frequently work when nothing else works. I find it odd that Dr. Burns refuses to admit depression has a genetic and biological basis, but then goes on and raves about the MAOIs...the strongest antidepressants you can take. That doesnt quite make sense to me.
--So it didn't seem so terrible, it just made me feel like Burns was a little close-minded, but perhaps I should give him more credit. If the double quotes shenanigans pull through, you should be able to link to the Amazon page where the book appears, and read the full review, done by LostBoyinNC (who I've seen somewhere else.. but can't remember.. here?) It is a respectable, thorough review. Either way, I may buy the book just based off of what I've heard so far. I personally think getting to the point where you take steps to improve your quality of life, IE beginning self-therapy or a training course or reading, is the hardest part of the ordeal. I'm happy to begin it, but am weary about my commitment. However, it's the one (and only) thing you can say in all of mental illness that has only positive benefits and no side effects. Unfortunately, it takes a little more commitment than taking a pill, but the end result gives you an improved quality of life and coping skills that last a lifetime.
Take care,
Charlie
poster:wcfrench
thread:128568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/128872.html