The New Mood Therapy: Clinically Proven Drug-Free Therapy for Depression

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The explanation and exercises contained in this book comprise a therapeutic treatment that has been demonstrated in clinical trials to work as well as antidepressants against depression, with zero dangerous side effects, even without the help of a therapist. In other words, a person who feels plagued by negative attitudes or feels depressed and unhappy and wants to do something about it can change her state of mind simply by reading and understanding this book. . .

Even long-standing depressive states and suicidal moods can crumble before the inexorable logic of the cognitive approach, although it may be unrealistic to expect a person who has been mired in long-term hopelessness and helplessness to turn it around without help. But even a persistent friend using these techniques could probably make an effective intervention.

Packed with questionnaires, practical exercises and case studies, and covering all the negative emotions, the book is designed to give enough detail to convince even the most skeptical reader. And guess what—it not only works for depression, but also for common pervasive negative feelings that can suck the joy out of our lives, like: “I can never be whole without a man;” “There must be something wrong with me if no one has chosen me;” “I’ll never be able to make it financially on my own;” “I’m only really happy when I’m with someone I love;” or whatever your version may be.

Burns has an excellent chapter on how to determine your actual feelings of pleasure in being alone or being accompanied, which might be enlightening if you tend to get stuck in this, and addresses how to use this approach for coping with the normal stresses of life.

There are organic physical conditions that are related to depression—one of the most common that can happen around menopause is hypothryroidism. Even a “subclinical” lack of this hormone, or not enough to register on standard tests, can create bleak and hopeless feelings. Nutrient deficiencies can also affect brain function and mood. From a physical point of view, many alternative doctors will recommend testing to be sure your hormones are balanced, and supplementing with bioidentical hormones if necessary, or herbs and supplements depending on their approach. Schwartzbein deals with the interaction of hormones in the most depth.

However, from a bodymind or energy medicine point of view, the throat and the thyroid gland are related to the ability to express oneself and assert oneself in the world effectively. Dr. Mona Lisa Schultz says “The literature about thyroid disorders shows that people with these ailments frequently have issues associated with ‘I will,’ the ability to achieve some sort of power in the outer world to express who you are and to change your environment.” (p.256)

This of course can become a huge issue at midlife when we begin to evaluate our lives and often feel that we have not created a life that expresses our real self. Schultz looks at this as a message from your intuition telling you what you need to be working to change.

So there may be many “causes” of feeling depressed and unhappy, and it is just as possible that years of unremitting self-undermining thoughts and feelings disturb the energy and affect the ability of the thyroid to produce the appropriate amount of hormone as that it suddenly begins to fail at midlife to do its job. For example, acupuncture often helps with thyroid problems. You need to address the physical symptoms appropriately, but also to work through the other life issues and what attitudes are causing them. These powerful negative thoughts and feelings are what the book addresses.

Burns includes an analysis of all the anti-depressant drugs, what they work best for, drug interactions, and side effects. However, it’s clear that whatever is causing you to feel depressed or blue, it’s not a drug deficiency. All of them have potential side effects, ranging from annoying to life-threatening. All of them can affect the delicate balance of your body systems in unknown ways. Certainly it makes supreme sense to seriously try the cognitive approach, with or without a therapist, rather than relying on drugs, especially for any extended time. Energy therapies can be similar to this approach, with the added support of intervening energetically to rewire the habits of thinking that cognitive therapy addresses.

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