Table of contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

Preface to the third edition

Preface to the first edition

PART ONE:      Understanding Depression

Chapter 1          What is depression?

Chapter 2          Causes of depression: How and why it happens

Chapter 3          How evolution may have shaped our minds for depression

Chapter 4          Bodies, genes, stress and coping: More on the mind–body link

Chapter 5          Early life and the psychological and social aspects of depression

Chapter 6          The relationship between our thoughts and feelings in depression

PART TWO:     Learning How to Cope

Chapter 7        Mindful preparations for working with depression

Chapter 8        Switching our minds to kindness and compassion

Chapter 9        Changing unhelpful thoughts and feelings: Balance and compassion

Chapter 10       Styles of depressive thinking: How to develop helpful styles

Chapter 11       Writing things down: How to do it and why it can be helpful

Chapter 12       Changing your behavior: A compassionate approach

PART THREE:  Developing Supportive Relationships with Ourselves

Chapter 13         Stop criticizing and bullying yourself: How to treat yourself with compassion

Chapter 14         Depressed ways of experiencing ourselves: How compassionate re-focusing can change our experience

Chapter 15         Further ways of helping ourselves change

PART FOUR:    Special Problems Associated with Depression

Chapter 16         Approval, subordination and bullying: key issues in relationships

Chapter 17         Understanding and healing shame in depression

Chapter 18         Understanding and coping with guilt

Chapter 19         Coping with anger

Chapter 20         From anger to assertiveness and forgiveness

Chapter 21         Dealing with frustrations, disappointments and lost ideals

Chapter 22         Summing up

Appendix 1         Monitoring and balancing your thoughts

Appendix 2         Quick guides

Appendix 3         Flash cards

Appendix 4         Useful resources

Notes and references

Index