Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK suffer from diagnosable depression (bbc.co.uk) - that's approximately 12 million people. Depression takes multiple forms, including seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, and postnatal depression. Research by the BBC claims that up to 75% of sufferers are not receiving any form of professional medication or therapy, which strongly suggests that self-help is often a preferred course of action.

Overcoming Depression For Dummies outlines practical methods for recognising and managing the symptoms of depression for those readers who might be too scared to go to their GP, who want to know more about the illness before they seek professional medical guidance, or for those who are just curious about depression and what it means.

Overcoming Depression For Dummies:

• Is written by an expert team of clinical psychologists and provides step-by-step guidelines on proven therapeutic exercises and ways to implement positive psychology methods
• Provides sound advice on nutrition, relaxation and support, to help make those vital first steps towards a happier life
• Gives comprehensive information on the wide variety of prescription medication and complementary therapies available, including their effectiveness and side effects
• Is aimed at people suffering from depression looking for straightforward, realistic advice and also loved ones and parents of those suffering from depression wanting to better understand the condition and find out how they can help.

Learn to:

• Recognise the symptoms of depression
• Put cognitive therapy to good use
• Choose the treatment that will work best for you
• Find the right professional help

Lift the burden of depression and bring joy back into your life

This friendly, reassuring guide can help you get your depression under control. Inside you'll find the latest on therapy for relieving your symptoms and preventing relapse, as well as practical advice on conventional and alternative medication, exercise, and nutrition. With exercises to guide you and offer full support throughout, you can discover ways to regain your confidence and start feeling good again.

• Taking the road to recovery–detect depression, overcome resistance to change, and discover professionals who can help
• Benefiting from cognitive therapy–monitor your depressive thoughts, create positive alternatives, and challenge negative perspectives
• Undertaking behaviour therapy–take pleasure in activities you enjoy, and exercise to lift your depression
• Working on your relationships–deal with loss and grief, and maintain strong relationships
• Living life to the full–discover both traditional and alternative treatments, reduce the risk of relapse, and find happiness through positive psychology

This is an excellent guide to the most up-to-date approaches to depression, and shows how you can weave your own therapy.'
–Mark Williams, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford

Open the book and find:

• The six main types of depression
• Methods to help beat memory loss
• A seven-step problem-solving plan
• The pros and cons of antidepressant medication
• Ways to successfully challenge your negative thoughts
• Advice on helping children with depression
• Exercises, quizzes, and self-tests to help you defeat depression