Books
A new book on “Self Management of Depression: A Manual for Mental Health and Primary Care Professionals” coauthored by Albert Yeung, M.D., ScD; Greg Feldman, Ph.D., Maurizio Fava, M.D.
In our clinic, patients frequently ask, “Is there anything more I can do to control my depression?” In this book, we discuss effective self-management measures for depression that are supported by scientific evidence and informed by successful approaches to manage other chronic medical illnesses. For example, many clinicians advise depressed patients to exercise. This book presents the evidence for exercise as a treatment for depression, the type and dosage of exercises shown to be useful, and whether exercise can be used to prevent future relapse of depression. In addition, we present strategies for helping patients overcome motivational barriers to regular exercise. We provide a similarly detailed discussion of the efficacy of other self-management approaches including psychoeducational resources, peer support groups, mind-body interventions such as relaxation response and mindfulness meditation, and computerized self-administered CBT programs. Clinicians who read this book will be equipped with a broad knowledge base and specific strategies to advise their depressed patients and empower them to become active partners in the management of their depression symptoms.
A work in progress: A call for entries on your experiences with depression.
Dr. Farabaugh and Dr. Witte respectfully invite you to submit a 1 to 5 page personal narrative, to be considered for inclusion in a forthcoming book. The purpose of the book is to relate experiences that individuals, and those close to them, have had with depression. A major focus of the book is to expand public awareness of this highly prevalent, yet somehow still stigmatized illness; to educate people about common as well as surprising or under-appreciated symptoms of the disease; and to provide specific, real-world examples and suggestions about things that help, and things that don’t, from people with first-hand experience.
Your participation in this project is voluntary. If you currently receive treatment at the DCRP/MGH, you do not have to participate in the project in order to continue your treatment, and your participation will have no bearing on your treatment. Should you choose to participate, you maintain the option to retract your narrative at a later date.
We are planning to collect a series of personal reflections, by people who have had depression, that touch in some way on their own experiences. You can write about absolutely anything that you find especially meaningful. You might want to consider things that you really wish other people knew about the disease. We also seek reflections by people with a loved one who has suffered from depression.
To start, you could think about the single most important piece of advice you would want to give (or that you wish you had known) when you first developed depression, and make that statement, specifically, at the beginning of the narrative. Then, go on to tell your own story, including whatever you feel needs to be told, and illuminating the relevance of the advice.
Please don’t feel limited in scope. Topics might include the challenge of finding the right diagnosis and treatment, the ways you learned what helped and hurt, challenges of implementing behavioral changes when motivation escapes you, what therapy was like, or any of hundreds of other ideas.
We would like to collect a diversity of personal accounts. Unfortunately, because of space limitations and other constraints, it’s possible that your narrative would not be included in the book.
Your participation will not be compensated. You will not receive, and are giving up any claim to receive, any payment or royalties in connection with any publication, exhibition, televising or other showing of these narratives.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact
Dr. Janet Witte at 617-726-5104 or Dr. Amy Farabaugh at 617-726-1629.