Book
Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety
📖 Overview
Feeling Great presents an updated approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based on Dr. Burns' decades of clinical experience and research. The book outlines specific techniques to overcome depression and anxiety by changing negative thought patterns and beliefs.
The text walks readers through practical exercises and real case studies that demonstrate how to identify and challenge distorted thinking. Burns introduces new tools like the "Magic Button" technique and resistance-busting methods that build on his earlier work in Feeling Good.
The methods focus on achieving rapid results through structured steps that readers can implement on their own or with a therapist. Burns includes measurement tools and worksheets to track progress and practice the techniques.
This work represents an evolution in cognitive therapy that emphasizes the connection between thoughts and emotions while respecting the validity of suffering. The approach aims to transform not just symptoms but core beliefs about self-worth and capability.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as an updated version of Burns' "Feeling Good" with new cognitive therapy techniques and exercises. Many cite success using the book's TEAM-CBT methods for managing depression and anxiety.
Readers liked:
- Clear explanations and step-by-step tools
- Practical worksheets and exercises
- Focus on self-acceptance rather than just positive thinking
- Real patient examples and dialogues
Common criticisms:
- Too much repetition of concepts
- Self-promotional tone about the TEAM method
- Similar content to previous Burns books
- Some found exercises time-consuming
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.26/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,000+ ratings)
Notable reader comments:
"The positive reframing technique alone was worth the read" - Goodreads reviewer
"Needed better editing - feels bloated with redundant examples" - Amazon reviewer
"More actionable than traditional CBT books" - Goodreads reviewer
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Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky This workbook provides cognitive behavioral therapy tools to identify thought patterns, track moods, and implement practical strategies for managing depression and anxiety.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond by Judith Beck This text outlines the fundamental principles and methods of CBT through step-by-step protocols and real-world examples.
The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb This book connects neuroscience research to practical methods for rewiring brain patterns linked to depression and anxiety.
The Mindful Way Through Depression by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn This resource combines cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices to create a path through depression using meditation and present-moment awareness.
🤔 Interesting facts
🧠 Dr. Burns developed his methods after discovering that 60-70% of depressed patients showed significant improvement in just 4 weeks using cognitive therapy techniques, compared to the much longer periods typically needed for traditional psychotherapy.
💡 The book introduces the TEAM-CBT approach, which integrates more than 50 therapeutic techniques, allowing therapists to personalize treatment for each individual patient.
📚 "Feeling Great" builds upon Burns' previous bestseller "Feeling Good" (1980), which has sold over 5 million copies and is often prescribed by mental health professionals as bibliotherapy.
🔬 The techniques described in the book are based on over 40,000 therapy sessions and decades of research showing that how we think about events, not the events themselves, creates our emotions.
🌟 Burns challenges traditional psychiatric views by proposing that depression and anxiety are not mental disorders but rather the result of distorted thoughts that can be changed through specific cognitive exercises.