Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated

The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self–esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life. Now, in this updated edition, Dr. Burns adds an All–New Consumer's Guide To Anti–depressant Drugs as well as a new introduction to help answer your questions about the many options available for treating depression.

– Recognise what causes your mood swings

– Nip negative feelings in the bud

– Deal with guilt

– Handle hostility and criticism

– Overcome addiction to love and approval

– Build self–esteem

– Feel good everyday

One of the greatest parts about the book is that Dr. Burns' model of cognitive behavioral therapy is very thorough, yet it is easy to understand and incorporate into one's daily living. He recommends cognitive behavioral therapy as the first line defense in dealing with mood disorders. However, the beauty of the book lies in the fact that Dr. Burns does not simply dismiss psychotropic medications. He clearly states that medications in addition to his therapeutic techniques are wholly appropriate for many people. In fact, it this updated edition he goes into detail about the different classes and types of drug options available on the market today. This approach is refreshing for someone who is benefitting from the use of medication and wanting to incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy into their recovery without having to read a book which outright dismisses the role of medication in treatment.

Also of special significance is his list of 10 'Cognitive Distortions'. Here, he lays out a plan for recognizing faulty thinking, how these thoughts affect our moods, and how to correct these distortions.

In summation, Dr. Burns' book is a practical encapsulation of the ideas and theories of some of the great pioneers in the field of mental health such as Drs. Abraham Low, Albert Ellis, and Aaron Beck.

If you made it this far to decide whether or not to buy this book, read some of the other reviews then put it in your cart.


Best book of its kind   November 23, 2002
Brian Merrick (Cedar Falls, IA USA)
115 out of 118 found this review helpful

This book explains CBT in a very simple an easy to read fashion. It was the first Burns book (he has several), and so doesn't contain all the exercises that he developed later. I own all the books and use them in my own therapy and also when dealing with clients. These techniques work. When incorporated correctly and dilligently followed, I believe anyone can benefit from these concepts. CBT is quite simple really. Your moods are created by your thoughts and how you view your world. Change the thoughts and your are on your way to managing your moods.

One important note: Burns makes it time and time again in this book and the other books he has written. YOU MUST DO THE WRITTEN EXERCISES!! Otherwise you probably won't get it. Intellectual internalization by reading is not enough. You may learn a little but probably not enough to change your behavior or your moods. CBT is the leading technique in treating depression today.


The Power of Logic and Positive Thinking   May 11, 2001
Sandra D. Peters (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
33 out of 33 found this review helpful

As a counsellor, I am quite familiar with the use of Cognitive Therapy, not only in treating depression, but as a means of bringing balance and harmony to one's life, depressed or not. Cognitive Therapy is based on mood modification - a principle one can use on their own to eliminate symptoms and achieve personal growth. "Feeling Good" is aimed at ridding ourselves of negative thinking, that which holds us stagnant and inhibits personal growth. Even if you are on medication for depression, you can still use the principles outlined in this book as a form of self-help. Through these pages, the author will help the reader to understand why you feel as you do, the power of positive thinking, how to develop self-control and how you can change through mood modification. The book is quite lengthy and certainly not a book one should speed read. To maximum its use, one should read, digest and absorb the material slowly and attentively. It is an excellent self-help book written in a style that is easily understood by the layperson; you do not need a course in psychology to understand its meaning.


A Lifesaver   December 19, 1999
Jennifer J. Sikes (Pensacola, Florida)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

Dr. Burns' book, "Feeling Good", will help you do just that. If you have depression, you will see your image clearly in this text.I have found myself wondering if Dr. Burns wrote this book with me in mind. I will read a section and then think to myself, "Sounds good, but that can't possibly work for me because...", only to find the first line of the next section saying, "You are probably thinking that although this sounds good, it can't work for you because..."!I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to rise above depression.The text is easy to understand and full of examples. There are practicle practice exercises and notes of encourangement along the way. Best of all, reading this book has helped me to realize that they way I think can make a difference in the way I feel.I hope this has helped you make a decision about Dr. Burn's book. A psychologist recommended that I read this book, saying that it is highly regarded. I agree!


Still selling well after 21 years...because it works   September 3, 2001
Philip Hamilton (Austin, TX USA)
33 out of 34 found this review helpful

This book is still selling well 21 years after its first edition was published because the methods work. After first practicing Freudian psychiatry...and finding that it usually (i) didn't work and/or (ii) was far too expensive and time-consuming, Albert Ellis developed rational/cognitive therapy in 1955 and soon added emotive and behavioral tools. Ellis and Burns have played the most important roles in effectively making these tools available to us laymen.

These tools work so well that you're far more likely to effectively deal with your own challenges with them than if you went to a psychologist or psychiatrist. (Some people truly do have chemical imbalances or temporarily need medication to get them to where they can deal with their situations, and that, of course, requires seeing a medical doctor.) Studies have consistently proven that cognitive-behavioral techniques help people faster and provide better long-term results than traditional psychiatric therapies.

I want to make one point that doesn't appear in most other reviews. Like Ellis, Burns shows you how to use both cognitive and BEHAVIORAL techniques. Yes, most unwanted feelings and behaviors do start with our own thoughts...and we can learn to change them. The main other thing I've learned over the past 20 years or so, however, is that I also need to first take some physical action to help change the emotional/behavioral pattern that I don't want. Just sitting in a chair and thinking differently doesn't do the trick. And "Feeling Good" provides you these tools, too.

You can easily benefit from the most powerful tools available through buying and using both Burns' "Feeling Good" and Albert Ellis' "A Guide to Rational Living." While "Feeling Good" is better written and contains a wider variety of tools, Ellis teaches you how to use the single most effective cognitive system.

These tools require you to work in order to realize the benefits that you want. The terrific news is that there is hope! And, just as importantly, you have access to the tools that you need...now.