Since its initial publication in 1989, Beating the Blues has remained in constant demand. Many people will experience significant if not disabling symptoms of depression at some time in their life. The value of Beating the Blues lies in its simplicity and its practical approach to help those people learn to overcome this distressing condition.
This updated edition of Beating the Blues remains an introduction to the highly effective treatment known as Cognitive Therapy. The book introduces you to the idea of considering the way you think and how this affects your mood and behaviour. It shows how to change ingrained thinking habits so you can feel better and live a more contented life.
Since the first edition, more knowledge has been gained about methods for managing our feelings. Ongoing research has shown how mindfulness (or mindful awareness) complements Cognitive Therapy. In this edition, we show how mindful awareness can be applied to feelings such as unhappiness and despair. Observing thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to fight them, helps to relinquish their control over you.
Psychologists have long considered that cognitive interventions, with or without the use of medication, lead to changes in neural pathways. Now, 20 years after our first edition, the medical technology has been developed to show that Cognitive Therapy does indeed produce physical changes in the brain. Cognitive Therapy enables you to rewire your brain! These changes in neural pathways are critical to relapse prevention.
The fundamental theory, structure and interventions of Cognitive Therapy have not substantially changed over the years; they have simply been added to and expanded as more experiential behaviour therapies have emerged. Similar to learning the basics of good driving skills, the cognitive skills in Beating the Blues will continue to protect you from unnecessary stress as you journey through life.
In this edition, we have expanded the basics and also included more recently established techniques. Our objective is to stay true to the book’s original purpose: as a simple and practical introduction to the very exciting and powerful treatment of Cognitive Therapy.
Susan Tanner and Jillian Ball,
2012