Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK suffer from diagnosable depression (bbc.co.uk) - that's approximately 12 million people. Depression takes multiple forms, including seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, and postnatal depression. Research by the BBC claims that up to 75 of sufferers are not receiving any form of professional medication or therapy, which strongly suggests that self-help is often a preferred course of action. Overcoming Depression For Dummies outlines practical methods for recognising and managing the symptoms of depression for those readers who might be too scared to go to their GP, who want to know more about the illness before they seek professional medical guidance, or for those who are just curious about depression and what it means. Overcoming Depression For Dummies:* Is written by an expert team of clinical psychologists and provides step-by-step guidelines on proven therapeutic exercises and ways to implement positive psychology methods* Provides sound advice on nutrition, relaxation and support, to help make those vital first steps towards a happier life* Gives comprehensive information on the wide variety of prescription medication and complementary therapies available, including their effectiveness and side effects* Is aimed at people suffering from depression looking for straightforward, realistic advice and also loved ones and parents of those suffering from depression wanting to better understand the condition and find out how they can help.

The classic guide for panic attack sufferers - now fully revised and updated. Panic attacks - approximately 5% of the population will experience them at some time or another. The dread of having an attack - they seemingly come out of nowhere - transforms the ordinary world of everyday life into a nightmare of anxiety and suffering. Bestselling author Bev Aisbett, a survivor of Panic Syndrome herself, has three basic messages: You can beat this You are not alone You will recover Originally published in 1993, this calm, common sense guide has helped many thousands of panic attack sufferers to overcome their fears. Bev Aisbett explains how panic disorders develop and how to recognise the symptoms, and covers topics such as changing negative thought patterns, seeking professional help and, ultimately, the skills for recovery. This fully revised and updated edition of LIVING WITH IT provides much-needed reassurance and support, showing the way out of the maze of panic with humour and the insight of first-hand experience.

A 'dark night of the soul' is not a psychological syndrome, but a quest for meaning during life's darkest hours: the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, ageing and illness, career disappointments or just an ongoing dissatisfaction with life. Thomas Moore's extensive experience as a psychologist and theologian has taught him that the dark night is a challenge to restore ourselves and to become someone of substance, depth and soul. By using these trying times as an opportunity to reflect and delve into the soul's deepest needs, we can find a new understanding of life's meaning. Dark Nights of the Soul has its roots in a favourite chapter in Thomas Moore's million copy bestseller, Care of the Soul. In this beautifully-written and thought-provoking work he explores our contemporary anxieties and insecurities and shows how these metaphoric dark nights can become transforming rites of passage.

A valuable resource for addressing/promoting the spiritual awakening/development for patients based on a thoroughly researched system of meditation Nearly 40% of americans saw an alternative healthcare practitioner last year. Interest in Yoga an aspect of ayurveda is growing nationally and is starting to become part of more progressive treatment programs. Patients want more. Providers need to offer more. And choices need to be based on sciencetific research on complementary/alternative medicine, which is under-researched in the addictions treatment field right now. Their has been a flurry of interest in Trancendental Meditation (TM) the past few months, mostly due to very impressive research on lowering blood pressure especially in African Americans. This groundbreaking, scientifically based book shows how TM can have profound health-promoting effects on addictions as well, according to recent research on profound brain changes caused by TM practice. Self-Recovery acquaints readers with the use of Transcendental Meditation program and Maharishi Ayur-Veda.This natural comprehensive approach to health care, as brought to light from the ancient Vedic tradition of India by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, allows individuals to break negative habits that arise from an incomplete understanding of the relationship between mind, body, and environment. Self-Recovery shows how this ancient system of mind-body medicine, through its mental and physical procedures, can be used to treat addictive diseases effectively. The first book written on the application of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program and Maharishi Ayur-Veda to addictions treatment, this volume is interdisciplinary in scope with original chapters by psychologists, physicians, physiologists, neurochemists, and other addictions professionals who offer an alternative paradigm to understanding and treating addictions. In contrast to conventional treatments, the TM program and Maharishi Ayur-Veda appear to provide a natural, comprehensive treatment approach that profoundly influences all levels of individual life that can impact on the addictive process.Not overly technical, Self-Recovery shares the pioneering experiences of clinicians using these holistic procedures as well as the striking findings of researchers who have integrated them into current chemical dependency treatments. For readers without prior introduction to this new approach, the TM program and Maharishi Ayur-Veda are briefly but thoroughly described. Readers looking for an effective mind-body treatment of addictions that is holistic in nature will find it in this book as it introduces them to this very ancient, but quite relevant, system of healing that can act in a complementary fashion with modern psychological and medical approaches to addictive disorders. Practitioners will find a description of Maharishi Ayur-Veda programs and learn about incorporating them into daily practice. Psychotherapists will learn how this unique program can affect the recovery process from addictive diseases. Through rich presentations of theory, research, and clinical case studies, Self-Recovery makes knowledge of Maharishi Ayur-Veda and the addictions come alive.The book is divided into four sections, the first of which contains an examination of the theoretical underpinnings and existing research on the TM program and its applications to addictions treatment. The second section features original research on the impact of TM on severe alcoholism and nicotine addiction. In section three, clinicians share case studies on the impact of the TM program on personal growth experienced during recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions. Section four presents theory and clinical application of the twenty approaches of Maharishi Ayur-Veda in chemical dependency treatment. A vital source of information on addictions treatment, this book is essential rea

We can be well connected, with 400 friends on Facebook and still have no one to count on. Ironically, despite social media, social isolation is a growing epidemic in the United States. The National Science Foundation reported in 2014 that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985. One out of four Americans has no one with whom they can talk about their personal troubles. An unprecedented number of Americans are living alone, particularly people over sixty (one in three seniors compared to one in five just ten years ago). Millennials and post-millennials increasingly report discomfort and avoidance with face-to-face conversations. Social isolation can shatter our confidence. In isolating times, we're not only lonely, but we're ashamed of our loneliness because our society stigmatizes people who are alone without support. As a single, fifty-eight-year-old woman who finds herself stranded after major surgery, Val Walker has woven into the narrative her own story. As a well-established rehabilitation counselor, she was too embarrassed to reveal on social media how utterly isolated she was by asking for someone to help, and it felt agonizingly awkward calling colleagues out of the blue. As she recovered, Val found her voice and developed a plan of action for people who lack social support, not only to heal from the pain of isolation, but to create a solid strategy for rebuilding support. 400 Friends and No One to Call spells out the how-tos for befriending our wider community, building a social safety net, and fostering our sense of belonging. On a deeper level, we are invited to befriend our loneliness, rather than feel ashamed of it, and open our hearts and minds to others trapped in isolation.

'A tour de force . . . an important, affecting and effective book' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL '[A] gorgeous and urgent book' STEVEN PINKER 'Reminds us that, despite our hazy understanding of depression, and despite the true horror of the illness, some hope for recovery remains' THE TIMES 'Extremely intelligent, compassionate and well-written' EVENING STANDARD Sadness is an inevitable part of life, but for most of us it coexists with happiness. Clinical depression, however, unhinges us from everything we know about the world and makes us strangers to those we love. It is the predominant mental-health problem worldwide, affecting more than 250 million people. Yet how much do we really know about the condition and how to treat it? Drawing on his own experience of a disorder that has afflicted humanity throughout history, Oliver Kamm charts the progress of science in understanding depression and explores insights from writers and artists through the ages. Hopeful, revelatory and deeply versed in current research, Mending the Mind sets out in plain language how clinical depression can be countered - and may eventually be overcome.

This much-needed book explores the issues and consequences of chronic pain in later life. Chronic pain often accompanies the non-fatal health conditions experienced by older women, but much of the professional literature virtually ignores older chronic pain sufferers. Older Women With Chronic Pain begins to fill this void by exploring chronic pain and its effects on older individuals. Authors draw upon existing pain literature, their knowledge of aging, and recognition of the health issues facing older women to illuminate the particulars of chronic pain in later life in relation to its etiology, assessment, consequences, and management.Chronic pain is not and should not be treated as part of the natural aging process. This book stresses the importance of understanding the causes and consequences of living with chronic pain in later life. Among the specific areas that chapters explore are: physical and biomedical aspects of chronic pain in later life the importance of using a comprehensive strategy for assessing chronic pain in older women coping strategies used by older women with chronic musculoskeletal pain issues associated with cancer pain and pain management in later life the influence of chronic pain on the family relationships of older women nonpharmacologic interventions for the management of chronic pain in older womenThe book includes a thorough review of the geriatric literature as well as suggestions for future research in the area of women with chronic pain. Researchers and academicians interested in the health concerns of older women, and clinicians and practitioners working with older women (and men) with chronic pain will find this book full of insightful information to help them in their work.

One Saturday morning, Beverly Gooden is woken by her husband shoving her off the bed. She makes to flee, but he catches her, his sudden anger inexplicable. No words are exchanged. He begins to strangle her - as he has done many times before. With unflinching vulnerability, Gooden outlines in painstaking detail what she had to do to walk away from violence and control, and how others can use her experiences to escape their own abuse, from skimming the grocery money, to squirreling away personal belongings, to navigating a domestic violence shelter. She offers strategies for overcoming the barriers survivors often face, such as money, housing, overcritical social circles, or, most powerfully: love. Uniquely compassionate when it comes to the heartbreak of still loving one's abuser, Gooden shares how she transformed and extended this love outward, using her story to encourage others to choose themselves. The voice and fire behind #WhyIStayed, Bev Gooden is exceptionally positioned to explore the many reasons victims stay in abusive relationships, and how they can muster the resources and motivation to leave. Surviving is unlike any other memoir of survivorship, given its nuance, compassion, and candour. Above all, it is an exquisitely powerful testament to Gooden's healing, survivorship, and dedication to helping others do the same.

2020 Publishers Weekly Book of the Year - Religion Publishers Weekly starred review. The #MeToo movement has revealed sexual abuse and assault in every sphere of society, including the church. But victims are routinely ignored by fellow Christians who deny their accounts and fail to bring accountability to the perpetrators. All too often, churches have been complicit in protecting abusers, reinforcing patriarchal power dynamics, and creating cultures of secrecy, shame, and silence. Pastor and survivor Ruth Everhart shines a light on the prevalence of sexual abuse and misconduct within faith communities. She candidly discloses stories of how she and others have experienced assault in church settings, highlighting the damage done to individuals, families, and communities. Everhart offers hope to survivors as she declares that God is present with the violated and stands in solidarity with victims. Scriptural narratives like those of Tamar and Bathsheba carry powerful resonance in today's context, as do the accounts of Jesus' interactions with women. God is at work in the midst of this #MeToo moment to call the church to repentance and deliver us from violence against the vulnerable.

As the "Seeing Eye Girl" for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother, Beverly Armento was intimately connected with and responsible for her, even though her mother physically and emotionally abused her. She was Strong Beverly at school-excellent in academics and mentored by caring teachers-but at home she was Weak Beverly, cowed by her mother's rage and delusions. Beverly's mother regained her sight with two corneal transplants in 1950 and went on to enjoy a moment of fame as an artist, but these positive turns did nothing to stop her disintegration into her delusional world of communists, radiation, and lurking Italians. To survive, Beverly had to be resilient and hopeful that better days could be ahead. But first, she had to confront essential ethical issues about her caregiving role in her family. In this emotional memoir, Beverly shares the coping strategies she invented to get herself through the trials of her young life, and the ways in which school and church served as refuges over the course of her journey. Breaking the psychological chains that bound her to her mother would prove to be the most difficult challenge of her life-and, ultimately, the most liberating one.

Through the voices of twenty-one women, Karen Way presents the most objective, complete, and compassionate picture of what anorexia nervosa is about and, more importantly, of the complex individual variables and obstacles in the journey to recovery. From the premise that anorexia nervosa is an addiction--an obsession controlling all aspects of an individual s life--and that complete recovery is possible by finding meaning in life, this enlightening book contrasts sharply to other books written on the subject by clinicians and theorists which merely speculate on the nature and etiology of anorexia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa and Recovery lets the reader hear the personal struggles of women who have fought this powerful disease. They describe how anorexia controlled their lives and how, once they overcame their obsessions with food, weight, and thinness, they were able to lead fulfilling lives. This illuminating book encourages and inspires women who are in the throes of anorexia nervosa. They will recognize the emptiness in the voices and the descriptions of daily life. Therapists and clinicians who treat anorexic women will find intriguing chapters on events which trigger anorexia and what anorexics will do to maintain their strategies for coping. Concerned friends and family and others interested in understanding this controlling disease will be enlightened from this important and helpful book.

In her bestselling classic The Courage to Heal, Laura Davis helped millions heal from the pain of child sexual abuse. Now, in I Thought We'd Never Speak Again, she tackles another critical, emerging issue: reconciling relationships that have been damaged by betrayal, anger, and misunderstanding.

With clarity and compassion, Davis maps the reconciliation process through gripping first-person stories of people who have mended relationships in a wide variety of circumstances. In these pages, parents reconcile with children, embittered siblings reconnect, angry friends reunite, and war veterans and crime victims meet with their enemies. Davis weaves these powerful accounts with her own experiences reconciling with her mother after a long, painful estrangement.

Making a crucial distinction between reconciliation and forgiveness, Davis explains how people can make peace in relationships without necessarily forgiving past hurts. In addition to a special section called "Ideas for Reflection and Discussion," she includes a self-assessment quiz, "Are You Ready for Reconciliation?"

Whether you want to reconcile a relationship that has ended, improve a relationship that is difficult or distant, or learn the skills you need for dealing with the inevitable conflicts we all face in life, this book will teach you to mend troubled relationships and find peace.

If you have ever attempted to research the AIDS epidemic or the HIV virus, you have discovered the overwhelming array of information sources. How do you know which information is the most accurate and most current? This second edition contains a directory of sources and resources in the AIDS information arena, designed to make it easy for anyone to find information on AIDS.Important Topics Covered: Organizations--includes AIDS service organizations, community-based organizations, and organizations operating at the local, regional, state, and national level Health Departments--identifies state offices, including the District of Columbia, that provide AIDS-related information or that can refer individuals to the appropriate organization Research Institutions, Grant Funding Sources, Education and Training Centers, and Federal Agencies Hotlines--both local and national Electronic Sources of Information--includes specific journals, bibliographies, and monographs Audiovisual Producers--covers producers of audiovisuals concerning AIDSThe organization of the directory and the indexes, arranged geographically as well as alphabetically, are compelling features of this timely book. How to Find Information About AIDS, Second Edition is a valuable addition to the reference collection of librarians, counselors, school teachers, AIDS organization administrators, and medical personnel.

From the moment she uttered the brave and honest words, "I am an alcoholic," to interview George Stephanopoulos, Elizabeth Vargas began writing her story, as her experiences were still raw. Now, in BETWEEN BREATHS, Vargas discusses her accounts of growing up with anxiety-which began suddenly at the age of six when her father served in Vietnam-and how she dealt with this anxiety as she came of age, to her eventually turning to alcohol for relief. She tells of how she found herself living in denial, about the extent of her addiction and keeping her dependency a secret for so long. She addresses her time in rehab, her first year of sobriety, and the guilt she felt as a working mother who had never found the right balance. Honest and hopeful, BETWEEN BREATHS is an inspiring read.

Embracing Anxiety came to life due to the author’s intense personal trauma, followed by extreme academic research and rubber stamped by the workshops and coaching sessions that has since been done using the “embracing anxiety” model. In “Embracing Anxiety” An Bakkes shares an ongoing journey that requires commitment to self, the willingness to become comfortable with life’s discomfort and the courage to choose from a healthy space with every decision that needs to be made.

Licensed therapist and respected mental health writer Dr. Kathleen Smith offers a smart, practical antidote to our anxiety-ridden times. Everything Isn't Terrible is an informative, and fun guide - featuring a healthy dose of humor - for people who want to become beacons of calmness in our anxious world.

Like Sarah Knight's "No F*cks Given" guides and You Are a Badass, Everything Isn't Terrible will inspire readers to confront their anxious selves, take charge of their anxiety, and increase their own capacity to choose how they respond to it. Comprised of short chapters containing anecdotal examples from Smith's personal experience as well as those of her clients, in addition to engaging, actionable exercises for readers, Everything Isn't Terrible will give anyone suffering from anxiety all the tools they need to finally be calm. Ultimately, living a calmer, less anxious life is possible, and with this book Smith will show you how to do it.

'One of the most valuable books I've ever read' Adwoa Aboah ______________________________________________________________________________________ If change is the natural order of things, why do we struggle with the huge milestones in our lives? At a time when even the most certain things feel disrupted, acclaimed psychotherapist Julia Samuel provides an antidote to the chaos we are all feeling. In this Sunday Times bestseller, Julia draws on hours of conversations with her patients to show how we can learn to adapt and even thrive during our most difficult and transformative experiences. From a new mother struggling with the decision to return to work, to a father handling a serious medical diagnosis, from a woman deciding whether to leave her husband for a younger lover, to a man struggling to repair his marriage after the trauma of suffering with COVID-19 in the ICU, this book unflinchingly deals with the hard times in family, love, work, health and identity. Illuminated by the latest social and psychological research, these 19 powerful, unforgettable and deeply intimate stories about everyday people will inform our understanding of our own unique response to change and improve the way we approach challenges at every stage of life. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 'Examines the power that comes from dealing effectively with change' Elizabeth Day