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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beardedlady on February 25, 2003, at 11:34:57
"How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying To Kill Me"
I just read a blurb, and it looked like something that could be useful to many here.
beardy : )>
Posted by noa on February 26, 2003, at 5:45:50
In reply to book about depression, posted by beardedlady on February 25, 2003, at 11:34:57
Great TITLE!!
Posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 20:37:35
In reply to Re: book about depression, posted by noa on February 26, 2003, at 5:45:50
Looks good. I'm just sorry that we won't be getting a double double quotes message on this one.
:(
Shar
Posted by lostsailor on February 26, 2003, at 22:51:05
In reply to Re: book about depression, posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 20:37:35
i dont mean to be pushy but may I ask why you did not link to amazon.com.....im caliing the docta!!!!
~tony
Posted by beardedlady on February 27, 2003, at 6:14:45
In reply to Re: book about depression, posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 20:37:35
Posted by Ilene on February 27, 2003, at 22:17:56
In reply to book about depression, posted by beardedlady on February 25, 2003, at 11:34:57
> "How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying To Kill Me"
>
> I just read a blurb, and it looked like something that could be useful to many here.
>
> beardy : )>I'm always interested in books about depression, but I'm also wary of wasting money on what is unlikely to work for me.
I read all of Amazon's reader reviews. I was swayed more by the negative ones than the positive ones. The latter were mostly about how great the author is, blah blah. I get the idea that if you like self-affirmations, you will like this book.
The reviewers who were negative were clearer and more specific about what they did not like. Rather than saying they hated the author, blah blah, they explained what they didn't like and why. I definitely agree with the reviewer who pointed out that "going to a movie" as a de-stressor is a lousy idea for people who have problems leaving the house or being around strangers.
(Not that going to a movie is an unworthy activity, but that it is *not* a de-stressor for many people.)
I'd be interested to know other people's opinions.
--I.
Posted by beardedlady on February 28, 2003, at 7:13:12
In reply to Re: book about depression » beardedlady, posted by Ilene on February 27, 2003, at 22:17:56
People have different kinds of depression, and many things work for one and not for others.
This board, for example, has people of all different walks. I wonder if we'd give someone a negative review for offering us advice we couldn't use because our personalities were different!
I also know that many people say they can't do certain things--like be around people, for example--and so they don't try. But some who do actually find it a world that they not only can cope with but enjoy.
Maybe our "I don't like doing [blank]" is a result of our depression, and getting ourselves to actually do it is part of the remedy? (I've seen the truth of the statement, though not in all people, certainly.)
I don't think a book will cure depression; it may simply be a longer version of a post someone couldn't use because he or she has a different type of depression or a different personality.
I am not recommending the book, as I didn't read it. But I wouldn't count it out based on others' reviews of it. You never know what one little tidbit could make a difference in your life.
beardy : )>
Posted by Ilene on February 28, 2003, at 11:55:52
In reply to Re: book about depression » Ilene, posted by beardedlady on February 28, 2003, at 7:13:12
> People have different kinds of depression, and many things work for one and not for others.
>Yes, exactly so, that was what I was trying to say. I guess I wasn't all that good at explaining myself. I assumed that other people would somehow know I was coming from the deep end of the depression pool, and take that into account.
> This board, for example, has people of all different walks. I wonder if we'd give someone a negative review for offering us advice we couldn't use because our personalities were different!
>I hope I won't ever give a person a negative review unless I think they are dangerous or unethical. I was commenting on a book.
> I also know that many people say they can't do certain things--like be around people, for example--and so they don't try. But some who do actually find it a world that they not only can cope with but enjoy.
>
> Maybe our "I don't like doing [blank]" is a result of our depression, and getting ourselves to actually do it is part of the remedy? (I've seen the truth of the statement, though not in all people, certainly.)
>
> I don't think a book will cure depression; it may simply be a longer version of a post someone couldn't use because he or she has a different type of depression or a different personality.
>
> I am not recommending the book, as I didn't read it. But I wouldn't count it out based on others' reviews of it. You never know what one little tidbit could make a difference in your life.
>
> beardy : )>
Beardy, if you *did* read the book, wouldn't you have an opinion on it? Wouldn't you tell people what you liked, what you didn't? What's wrong with counting it in or out based on someone else's opinion?I really hate it when I spend money on a book because it looks interesting, read it, and decide I wasted my money. I'd rather read a review that helps me make that decision.
--I.
Posted by beardedlady on February 28, 2003, at 13:32:25
In reply to Re: book about depression » beardedlady, posted by Ilene on February 28, 2003, at 11:55:52
> I hope I won't ever give a person a negative review unless I think they are dangerous or unethical. I was commenting on a book.
That's not really what I was saying--just saying that the reasons you cited for the negative reviews were that the advice given wouldn't work for them.
> Beardy, if you *did* read the book, wouldn't you have an opinion on it? Wouldn't you tell people what you liked, what you didn't?
There's nothing much that I don't have an opinion about!
: )>>What's wrong with counting it in or out based on someone else's opinion?
Oh, nothing at all. I was merely saying that I would look for other things in the reviews, like bad writing, irresponsible advice, etc.
> I really hate it when I spend money on a book because it looks interesting, read it, and decide I wasted my money. I'd rather read a review that helps me make that decision.
I agree with you 100%. My only reason for the post, really, was that it's tough to judge a book based on its advice, when everyone responds so differently. That's such a personal thing.
As for being from the "deep end of the depression pool" (nice phrase, by the way), I think the author's coming from the same place, hence the title!
I would love to know if someone reads this book and thinks it's worthwhile.
I wasn't trying to pick a fight with you. I hope you know that!
beardy : )>
This is the end of the thread.
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