Has anyone ever read the book "Beating The Blues"?

Guest_4643
Community Member

Hi all.

I purchased a book that my Psychiatrist suggested I read called Beating The Blues.

I'm not a huge reading fan so I haven't read it yet but I will even if I read a chapter a day or something.

I was just wondering if anyone has read it? If so what were your thoughts - good and bad? Did it help, even a little?

I did read the reviews on Google but they were mixed so I thought I'd come here and ask. I know everyone will have different interpretations of it and some will find it helpful and unhelpful though.

Thanks,

Tayla (20 years old)

4 Replies 4

Quercus
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Tayla,

I love reading and yet self help books are something I struggle massively to get into too. Beating the Blues was one of my op shop finds and it gathered dust. I can't even remember what I thought of it.

Not the reply you were after sorry. But I figured I'd post to say it's ok if you don't find reading self help books helpful. I find them exhausting more than helpful most of the time.

Everyone has different ways of learning and that's ok too. I find reading short articles or listening to podcasts suits me better. It's less tiring.

Are there other ways you can think of to find information about depression in a format that works for you?

Nat

White_Rose
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Tayla, (and wave to Quercus)

I have not read this book but just looked it up. It sounds interesting. Books with similar titles can be confusing so can you confirm the authors' names please. The authors of the book I looked up are (author) Michael E. Thase, (author) Susan S. Lang.

As I said, I have only read the blurb. It has a huge content by the sound of it and I can see how you could feel overwhelmed by this. Your suggestion of reading a chapter a day sounds good. When we are depressed it is hard to read books of this nature especially when we try to take it in with one gulp. Even aiming for one chapter a day may be too much.

What I have found helpful is to write notes as I read or at the end of a chapter. You will often find the book prompts questions from you and it's good to discuss these with your psychiatrist. Write them down so you will not forget them. We all think we will remember what we have read but alas that's not the case. Being depressed is hard enough and attempting to take in information from a book can be very tiring.

I suggest another series of books. The author is Bev Aisbett who wrote about anxiety, the IT books. Much of the books are relative to depression also. To read one book straight through would take less than hour. It's written in small bits with some amusing but pointed cartoons. The first book is Living with IT, the second Living IT up followed by Letting IT go. IT in the these titles refers to anxiety but I found it equally applicable to depression. Aisbett also wrote Taming the Black Dog which is specifically about depression. I found the first three most. helpful.

I find it useful to laugh about many things and I believe these books are great for this. They are serious books but so readable and I definitely found them applicable to me. Have a go. You may then find it easier to read the book suggested by your psychiatrist.

Mary

Thank you for your replies Quercus and White Rose.

I'll read it one day and get back to you and others about it, and tell my Psychiatrist, thanks.

Sorry for taking so long to reply, I just needed a break from the forums.

Hope all is well with both of you, take care.

Tayla x

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
We are letting you all know we're closing this and all Tayla's other threads except for Looking for some self care and coping strategy tips please.

Keeping to one thread makes it easier for members to keep up with Tayla's story, and saves having to repeat information.