Another
book in the “New Hope” series (see the review of New
Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder) this book covers most of the predictable
topics on Depression i.e. diagnosis, treatment, and suicide prevention. Like its
sister book the overview is also broad-based with chapters also on alternative
therapies, spiritual aspects and family, work and community issues. While it
lacks the intensity of the Bipolar book and that co-writer’s creative influence
(Nancy Rosenfield is a Bipolar survivor) the book does once again
attempt to redress the stigma of mental illness.

My favorite thing about this book
is the title, “New Hope”, for if there is one thing that is insidiously eaten away
at in the sufferers of mood disorders, it is the essential life and healing
ingredient of hope. In “New Hope”, Broida outlines the current status of
pharmacological and medical treatments, complementary as well as the psychological
treatments for depression. For example, the section on the Body includes new
findings re the effects of group exercise when compared to Zoloft that found
that exercise was equal in effectiveness to the medication in a motivated,
middle-aged and older group. In the Getting Help and Treatment sections
Antidepressants are covered as well as the importance of learning effective problem-solving and
relationship skills with the aid of trusted therapist.

Once again, a great easy-to-read
overview for someone who is suffering for depression or their loved ones. Not a
treatment manual, so for therapeutic ideas in the cognitive behavioral and
psychological area, books by specialists such as Michael
Yapko and David
Burns are recommended. Abraham Lincoln is mentioned again (a mood disorder
sufferer) though this book is dedicated to the author’s brother, a victim of
the black beast of depression.

© 2002 Prem Dana Takada

Prem Dana Takada, B.B.Sc.
(Hons) M.A. Clin Psych, originally trained as a Clinical Psychologist in
Melbourne, Australia where she also acquired registration as a Family
Therapist. After leaving Australia, Prem Dana worked as a Principal Clinical
Psychologist in West London where she continued to work with individuals,
couples, families, and as a group therapist and received further training as a
Hypnotherapist in Oxford. She has traveled widely having also lived and worked
in India, and has been in Japan for the last seven years where she currently
runs the Psychotherapy and Healing Practice and is President of Mental Health Professionals Japan–a
professional organization established for International Therapists.

Categories: Depression, SelfHelp