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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:35:35
People keep mentioning different books (me included) that they've come across that have been informative, cathartic, humerous, whatevah. I just thought it might be cool to compare notes ... give title, autor, ISBN, and why you found it valuable.
I'll start (unless someone beats me to it).
Posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:44:46
In reply to Books to heal by ..., posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:35:35
subtitled A Dog's Self-Help Companion
by Max and Scooter
ISBN 0-345-42201-5There were a number I could have chosen first, but a friend just gave me this and I pulled some chest muscles trying to keep the laughs in on the subway home today. It features chapters like:
--Break the cycle of passive-aggressive chewing
--Confront feelings of mixed-breed inadequacy
--Promote heavy pettingHere's a brief excerpt from CH31, Heel Thyself:
"Consider the following homeopathic cures for these common concerns:
Appetite loss Sleep it off
Lethargy Sleep it off
Headache Sleep it off
Insomnia Sleep it off
Ticks Roll in the mud
Fleas Roll in the mud
Mange Roll in the mud
Dandruff Roll in the mud
Obesity Tell them to mind their own business"Or, from CH28, Eat More Grass:
"It is no coincidence that there is no such thing as a neurotic cow. Now, this is not because cows are particularly enlightened but because they have for years lived by a simple credo: You simply cannot eat too much grass."Lots of very funny pokes at self-help books, and lots of insight into canines as well.
Cheers,
Bob
Posted by dj on September 14, 1999, at 20:54:02
In reply to Books to heal by ..., posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:35:35
>... give title, autor, ISBN, and why you found it valuable.
>
Much of the details noted above can be found at http://www.amazon.comSome I would recommend because they are well written & informative are:
Darkness Visible -- William Styron
The Theft of the Spirit -- Karl Hammerschlag
Undoing Depression -- Richard O'Connor
The Beast -- A Journey Through Depression -- Tracy Thompson
Becoming Human -- Jean Vanier
Thoughts Without a Thinker -- Mark Epstein
Full Catastrophe Living -- Jon Kabat Zin
Unquiet Mind -- Kay Redfield Jamieson
Anam Cara -- A book of Celtic Wisdom -- John O'Donohue
A Slender Thread -- Rediscovering Hope at the Heart of Crisis -- Diane Ackerman
Posted by dj on September 14, 1999, at 21:22:06
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ... in the moment..., posted by dj on September 14, 1999, at 20:54:02
on:
> Anam Cara -- A book of Celtic Wisdom -- John O'Donohue
Some quotes from amazon.com:
A reader from Fort Worth, Texas , October 30, 1998
An excellent tool for the path of spiritual growth
This book is excellent for those who have reached the point in life where they begin to question their existence. It is also useful if one is going through a significant trauma or transition in life. Nurture of the soul is paramount, and yet is probably one of the most neglected aspects of society today. O'Donohue provides a comprehensive collection of soul wisdom which all can greatly benefit from. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this titleclaudpaul@aol.com from Valley Stream, New York , July 31, 1998
VERY VERY POWERFUL AND FULL OF ILLUMINATION!
Reading this wonderful spiritual book has embedded into my soul all the valuable insights and gifts that these powerful words envelope. I will treasure this book. There are many lessons to be learned about soul and one needs to read over and over again these valuable lessons to digest the depth of this profound celtic wisdom.I shall use this book as I glide into much celebrated old age and intergrate it's beautiful spiritual power into present moments. Anam Cara states....'Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back.....the eternal makes your urgent..' --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title
CLAUDPAUL@AOL.COM from NEW YORK , July 28, 1998
Very very powerful and full of illumination!
Reading this book has imbedded into my soul all the valuable insights and gifts that these powerful words envelope. i will treasure this book as i do my bible. there are many many lessons to be learned and one needs to read over and over again these valuable lessons to digest the dept of this celtic wisdom.i shall use this book as i glide into much celebrated old age and intergrate it's beautiful spiritual power into my present moments.
anam cara states..... 'once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back..... the eternal makes you urgent.'
wonderful! :-) --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title
Becky Flesher (flesher@owt.com) from Kennewick, WA , May 9, 1998
Each sentence is a ponderable morsel.
Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom is truly a work of art. Over the past three years, I have been working on discovering myself through self-help books, 12-step programs, religious study, and personal introspection. This book summed up everything I have learned (the hard way) during this time, and presented it in a beautiful package that was invigorating and thought-provoking to read. It was a pure joy. I began reading it in January, and have only just finished it last night, because each sentance was a ponderable morsel. Sometimes I would read a phrase five times over in order to fully grasp and apply it's meaning to my life. This is not a 70 mph trip through the McDonald's drive-thru, this is a seven course meal in Vienna, and every bite demands that you hold it in your mouth to savor it.Anam Cara is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. I plan to read it again in a year or so, because I know I will get new things out of it. I am already loaning it to a friend, and have a couple of others in mind I'd like to loan it to. I can't keep this from the ones I love. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title
A reader from Ann Arbor, Michigan , March 27, 1998
Worth reading again and again
A very insightful work. I had debated the purchase of this book because of its hardcover price, but didn't regret the decision once I started reading. The use of Celtic materials to illustrate points adds much to the book. Mr. O'Donohue is a gentle adventurer of the soul. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this titledunn1@jeflin.tju.edu from Philadelphia, Pa, USA , January 5, 1998
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read
This insightful book by John O'Donohue is a moving and irrevocably inspiring view on living, dying, loving and becoming closer to your own soul with the companionship of your Anam Cara, or soul-friend. It speaks of the incredible beauty of the Celtic tradition and views on such ethereal subjects as religion, our own divinity, and the power of transforming your life. It is truly a book to learn from. -For more go to amazon.com or purchase the book or get it or the audio tape from the library...
Posted by Noa on September 14, 1999, at 22:18:08
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ... in the moment...P.S., posted by dj on September 14, 1999, at 21:22:06
I just bought "Conquering the Beast Within: How I fought Depression and won, and how you can, too" by Cait Irwin, who is 18 years old. It is appropriate for kids or adults. An illustrated personal story.
For INFO, I have been perusing Jamison/GOodwin, "Manic Depressive Illness" (thanks to my local library, aka, Barnes and NOble). It's too expensive to buy, but I stop in every so often and read some more. Full of well written info on the spectrum of illness in mood disorders.
Posted by Cass on September 14, 1999, at 22:20:09
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ... in the moment...P.S., posted by dj on September 14, 1999, at 21:22:06
The Drama of the Gifted Child -- Alice Miller
Posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:33:50
In reply to Cool books, posted by Cass on September 14, 1999, at 22:20:09
I'm not sure if these are necessarily *good* suggestions, but here are some books I've read when I was coming back up from a down place:
_The Chemistry of Conscious States_, J. Allan Hobson
_Girl, Interrupted_, Susanna Kaysen (I have a print of the Vermeer painting "Girl Interrupted at Her Music" - http://www.vincent.nl/?/gallery/paintings/a585.htm
_Moments of Engagement_, Peter Kramer
_Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut_, P.J. O'Rourke
_The Emotional Brain_, Joseph LeDoux
_Hannibal_, Thomas HarrisMy mom gave me a book that I haven't read yet but that seems promising:
_Transforming Madness_, Jay Neugeboren
Oh yeah, a couple of things *not* to read:
"No Exit" (play), Jean-Paul Sartre (reminds me of bad group therapy)
_Mount Misery_, Samuel Shem
anything by Peter Breggin (actually, just don't read anything by him in general!)
Posted by Bob on September 15, 1999, at 8:34:39
In reply to Re: Cool books, posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:33:50
Back when I was most disturbed, in my early 20's, I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Quite a soul-searching book for me. All I remember, though, was that while the beginning was quite uplifting, I found the ending too close, too personal, too much of a voyeuristic perch over my own life that I couldn't finish a good protion of the book. I can't remember why -- it's all repressed. But one of these days, I'm going to find the courage to reread it and get through to the end, to find out what was so disturbing that all I have from the book are the early quotes I found so inspiring I typed them out and hung them next to my computer.
So, I can't tell if that's a pick or a pan. ;^)
Cheers,
Bob
Posted by dj on September 16, 1999, at 14:25:46
In reply to One of these days ..., posted by Bob on September 15, 1999, at 8:34:39
http://www.dr-bob.org/read/
Posted by Adam on September 16, 1999, at 22:11:46
In reply to Books to heal by ..., posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:35:35
I am of the oppinion that cognative-behavioral therapy, or variants thereof are the best
forms of psychotherapy out there.One book that is very CBT-specific is "Mind Over Mood" by Greenberger and Padesky (ISBN
#0-89862-128-3). Aaron Beck wrote the foreward, and the body of the book is a very simple,
straightforward training manual and workbook on how to take control of your thoughts and
modify them to combat the distorted thinking caused by depression. Far better than "The
Feeling Good Handbook,", IMO, if, for no other reason, because the authors don't act like they
invented CBT.Another excellent book is "Reinventing Your Life" by Young and Klosko (ISBN #0-452-27204-1).
Again, Beck wrote the foreward. This book describes a new kind of therapy that the authors
call as "Lifetrap Therapy", essentially a CBT-slanted schema based therapy that also inte-
grates some aspects of other psychotherapeutic approaches (psychodynamic, inner-child, gestalt,
etc.). It is essentially a book for personality disorders (not necessarily the kind you
find in the DSM-IV, though I would imagine your classic BPD sufferer would benefit from this
approach, given the etiology of such disorders). If you've suffered from depression, and your
childhood had a lot of damaging influences (heavens knows mine did), this is an excellent book
to get. I've read few self-help books that were as dead-on and realistic as this one, and if
I had to start therapy over, I'd find a lifetrap therapist.Hope these are of help!
> People keep mentioning different books (me included) that they've come across that have been informative, cathartic, humerous, whatevah. I just thought it might be cool to compare notes ... give title, autor, ISBN, and why you found it valuable.
>
> I'll start (unless someone beats me to it).
Posted by Elizabeth on September 19, 1999, at 6:36:48
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ..., posted by Adam on September 16, 1999, at 22:11:46
> I am of the oppinion that cognative-behavioral therapy, or variants thereof are the best
> forms of psychotherapy out there.To each his own. I have observed (from group therapy settings) that CBT is of some value for behavioral disorders such as drug abuse, bulimia, borderline personality, OCD, some aspects of ADHD, and especially specific phobias (or agoraphobia), and for minor disorders of mood and thought such as hypochondriasis, adjustment disorders, posttraumatic stress, demoralization (without underlying depression), partially remitted depression, etc., but that it is of little or no value for major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. (I am unconvinced that it is of much use in generalized social phobia, either.)
CBT cannot change the "distorted thinking caused by depression" because it has no effect on the depression itself, which drives the distorted thinking. If distorted thinking is driving the depression, IMHO that probably constitutes a personality or adjustment issue, not a primary mood disorder.
CBT depends on the fallacy that the "will" is some sort of disembodied entity that functions independently of the rest of the mind, and that one may therefore think oneself into feeling better, with the help perhaps of some sophistry on the part of the therapist. Cognitive-behaviorists believe that "thinking" and "feeling" are two separate functions that influence another. From discussions with CBT therapists (psychologists trained in C-B theory and practice), I get the impression that they believe depression (or its recurrence) is caused by "bad thinking," and that "correcting" those "cognitive distortions" will somehow cure the depression.
My experience (not just with myself, but from observing other people with major depression in a CBT group) is that this therapy does not help those with severe major depression, and that the failure to improve is often blamed on the patient ("you're not trying hard enough," "you're not doing it right," etc.) and causes frustration and demoralization. I have never seen such individuals helped by CBT.
I recommend _Descartes's Error_ (Antonio Damasio), for a discussion of the relationship between "thinking" and "feeling."
Posted by Noa on September 19, 1999, at 10:22:28
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ..., posted by Elizabeth on September 19, 1999, at 6:36:48
I just read an article in today's Washington Post Style section, by a young woman named Stacey Patton, about her own experience with Bipolar Disorder and recent ECT treatment. Very moving and courageous. Her book, "Somebody's Child" is in the works.
Posted by Bob on September 19, 1999, at 16:18:50
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ..., posted by Noa on September 19, 1999, at 10:22:28
Recently, I finished reading Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Nope, never saw the movie. Anyway, the book has a lot to offer in terms of kind of stepping outside the relationships going on and looking for their essences. Just like any contact with a different culture, this is one book that can help you take a different perspective than what you may be used to.
When I'm feeling really lost, and if I'm lucky enough to remember it, I pick up my copy of the Tao Te Ching, translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English. I've owned several different translations, but this is the one that speaks most to my heart. One favorite verse is #71:
Knowing ignorance is strength.
Ignoring knowledge is sickness.If one is sick of sickness, then one is not sick.
The sage is not sick because he is sick of sickness.
Therefore, he is not sick.
Posted by Dee on September 19, 1999, at 22:40:15
In reply to Books to heal by ..., posted by Bob on September 14, 1999, at 20:35:35
about Relationships, what makes them tic, what kills them - David Kantor, Ph.D. 'My Lover, Myself - Self discovery through relationship'
About everything else Alan Watts 'The book'
about writing, although like everything that is true and honest, it has an universal message: Natalie Goldberg 'Writing Down the Bones'
Poetry written by a late master with ADD, I guess we can all relate (Stephen Mitchell's translation is excellent) 'The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke'
and 'A Hundred years of Solitude' just because it is a great book.
Posted by Adam on September 20, 1999, at 14:05:12
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ..., posted by Elizabeth on September 19, 1999, at 6:36:48
> To each his own.
True. But does major depression respond better, to, say, Freudian or Jungian psychoanalysis?
CBT for major depression without other modalities of treatment (esp. antidepressant medications)
might not be expected to always work well, and the authors of both books embrace an integrative
approach. I would say that a therapist who blames a patient for not working hard enough in the
case where therapy fails is a poor excuse for a therapist. However, a good therapist might point
out (and rightly so), that if a patient did not do the exercises routinely presecribed in CBT,
they certainly couldn't expect to see any benefit. If a patient is doing their homework and not
seeing any results, then it's time to shift gears or try a different approach.There is a lot of reputable literature out there, though, that claims CBT is very effective for major depression.
The references are not hard to find. Of course, all scientific papers must be viewed with reasonable skepticism.
I find the claims that CBT works as well as drugs in many instances, and works rapidly to be very encouraging.
compared to other forms of psychotherapy to be encouraging.It was especially for refractory patients that "Lifetrap Therapy" was developed. The authors don't make lofty
claims about the miraculous power of their treatment (like Burns is wont to do), and they make it amply clear
that change can be slow and hard. That has been my experience, but it can and does happen. The authors put forth
a theory of depression that I think is very realistic: there are many etiological factors, some you're born with,
and some that were learned. Biology might be predisposing (PTSD, for instance, strikes some and not others-few would
argue, in any case, that the PTSD sufferer would have been just as bad off in the absense of horrific experiences),
but it needn't be the sole cause. Learned behaviors that are repetitious and self-destructive (and contribute greatly
to state of being depressed), can be unlearned. In the process of retraining, the patient can experience real
growth and healing. I think this is immensely important, and gives the patient something that will outlast the
effect of any drug.
Posted by dj on September 21, 1999, at 16:26:27
In reply to Re: Books to heal by ..., posted by Elizabeth on September 19, 1999, at 6:36:48
I have no bias for or against CBT but this on-line book based on one man's experience may be of interest to some...make of it as you will:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/BMGT/.Faculty/JSimon/Good_Mood/
Good Mood: The New Psychology of Overcoming Depression
CONQUERING DEPRESSION, ENJOYING LIFE
Julian L. Simon"As of April, l975, I had been severely depressed almost every day for thirteen years--which is quite unusual. Then I braced myself for one last attempt to get rid of the depression before giving up the struggle against it. In the process, I discovered the psychological mechanism that is the proximate cause of sadness and depression. That discovery enabled me to take advantage of a couple of insights about myself. Within two weeks I had banished my depression.
Since April, l975, until now (September, 1990) I have been glad to be alive, and I have taken pleasure in my days. I have occasionally even been ecstatic, skipping and leaping from joy, especially in the early years when relief of the pain of depression was fresh. Though I must still fight off depression, I have not lost more than a minor skirmish since then, and I believe that--if my family and community stay safe from catastrophe--I have beaten depression for life. When I wrote the first draft of this article in 1978 (I then put it away to be sure that my cure was not just temporary) I wrote that "Even if I am wrong and eventually I suffer a permanent relapse, these three years of happiness and freedom from depression would leave me grateful for my good fortune." The good fortune continues, and I am more grateful than ever.
When I say that I was depressed for thirteen years, I mean that except for some of the hours when I was working or playing sports or making love, I was almost continuously conscious of being miserable, and I almost continuously reflected on my worthlessness. I wished for death, and I refused to kill myself solely because I believed that my children needed me, just as all children need a father. Endless hours every day I reviewed my faults and failures, which made me writhe in pain. To dramatize the matter: As I look back now, I'd rather have a tooth pulled, and have the operation bungled, or have the worst possible case of flu, in comparison to re-living any one of those days feeling as I did then.."
This is the end of the thread.
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