Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong (Overcoming Common Problems): Amazon.co.uk: Tim Cantopher: Books

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Product Description

In contrast to many books on depression, this text takes the view that those most susceptible to depression are people with strong personalities. Being naturally conscientious and reliable, they tend to carry on under great stress, where weaker people would simply give up. In the end the burden becomes too much and they succumb to depression rather like a rubber band which will snap if stretched too far. The work attempts to explain the cause of depression and how it can be treated - by looking after yourself, antidepressant treatments and talking therapies.

About the Author

Dr Tim Cantopher is a psychiatrist. He worked as a consultant psychiatrist in the NHS for some years before leaving to work in the private sector, where he is now Medical Director of the Priory Hospital in Surrey (one of a group of hospitals well known as the place celebrities go to sort out their problems). He is also medical advisor to the Depression Alliance, Depend, the National Association for Mental Health and Relate.

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Customer Reviews

92 Reviews

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4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
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Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (92 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

193 of 193 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We shall overcome, 6 April 2009

By

Foxylock (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Depressive illness-curse of the strong (Paperback)

Pull yourself together, just pick yourself up and get on with it, what could possibly be wrong with you, there are far worse off people in the world and they're not depressed !! I've had all these things said to me while I literally fought to stay alive. And the battle to survive is no exaggeration for depression is a life threatening illness. Depression is a lonely isolated place where the inhabitants just waste away with the life being sucked out of them by this most horrid of illnesses.

Tim Cantopher has a fine book here he purports that depression almost exclusively strikes a particular type of person and that is the morally strong, reliable, diligent but vulnerable to criticism and sensitive types. So what happens to this type of person when they become depressed ? They try to work their way out of it and continually beat themselves up for feeling the way they feel. How does Cantopher visualise a recovery ? Rest, take the time off your body needs to heal, you wouldn't try walking on a broken leg so treat your mind in a similar fashion. Depression takes away our energy so accept that we can't do the things we once could or attain the same high standards. Lets not be hard on ourselves, we need rest to aid our progress. And we will make progress however slow it may seem, gradually we will get back on track.

This is one of the better books I've read on depression, it's clear, concise and easily digested which is essential when concentration levels are down. The chapter on recovery is fantastic and the advice given throughout is excellent. The only negative for me was the author's remarks on anti-depressants, he appeared a little dogmatic and would give no time to those who have reservations about taking medication with such a wide ranging list of potential side affects. As someone with personal experience of this I found it a bitter pill to swallow ( pardon the pun ) However as a book on depression and how to tackle it this book is excellent. Add this to your arsenal of self-helpery and you will find it useful. But above all don't lose hope even when you're wearing the cloak of despair, choose light and life it's what I did and although life can be harsh it's worth living. Best of luck and take care.

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92 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the single most informative, eye-opening and shockingly revealing information, 28 Oct 2009

By

Shirlz "Anyone who has never made a mistake h... (Berkshire, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Depressive illness-curse of the strong (Paperback)

This book is the single most informative, eye-opening and shockingly revealing information I have ever read about depression. The information Dr Cantopher provides should be taught in senior schools, to medical professionals and even published in tabloids (using his words, not theirs though). Some GPs really need to read this book.

Understanding the illness is the only way to accept it, learn and move forward, and that is exactly what this book is about - teaching you the facts of depression and destroying the myths that most people hold about the illness - `anti-depressants are addictive, they are bad for you, they make you worse....you just need to pull yourself together....cheer yourself up....snap out of it.....get on with it....you are just being weak, you need to be stronger.... We don't realise; neither do those who are trying to be helpful; that Depression is a physical illness. Yes - a PHYSICAL illness. "It is every bit as physical as pneumonia or a broken leg". In depression, the bit that's broken is called the `Limbic System'. The book explains very eloquently how and why this is a physical illness, the physical symptoms experienced and why it needs to be treated as such.

Ready for the next big shock: - only STRONG people are at risk of developing depression. This physical illness does not develop out of the blue, or caught like a cold; it develops after prolonged periods of pushing yourself too hard, and/or experiencing a major life-event or series of life-events. Everyone who has had, or will have depression shares something in common - a conscientious personality, with a drive to keep going and never giving up. Weak/lazy people never get up and get started, average people have the ability to say - stop, enough is enough; but the highly conscientious don't know when to quit until it's too late, then depression sets in and everything falls apart.

This book gives you your sanity back by explaining exactly what is wrong with you and how you can move forward towards recovery. I cannot find any internet resources about depression that provide this level of detail, or this informative. Once you have read this, you will agree; `depression' is a stupid name for this debilitating illness- it really should be called `Limbic Disorder'. If you are suffering from depression; don't just read this book - pass it round all your friends and family and ask them to read it too. Together we can destroy the myths, the insults to our capability, and re-educate people who think depression is just about feeling depressed......

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79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I needed this book!, 17 Nov 2004

By

Lotte Tvede - See all my reviews

This review is from: Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong (Overcoming Common Problems) (Paperback)

I have suffered from depression for more years than I care to remember, and was diagnosed 8 years ago. Having read a lot of books about the subject, this is the first one that makes me feel truly "understood". The books told me something I knew, but needed to hear again, like:
Depression is an illness that can be cured.
While it can be triggered by events and psychological factors, depression is essentially a biochemical imbalance.
The difference between clinical depression and "having a bad time" or "feeling blue".
Taking anti-depressants is not an "easy way out", it`s the first step in reclaiming your life.
The book also told me things I didn`t know, like:
Depression typically happens to people with strong characters, people who are very responsible and caring towards others.
Why it`s crucial to give yourself time to heal (so good to know, when you feel guilty about not being able to socialize, go to work etc.). Like the author says: The reason you don`t want to do these things, is that somewhere you know that it will hurt you, not help you, when even getting out of bed is a challenge.
Ways to prevent future episodes by identifying individual triggers, learning to care for yourself and not take on more than you can deal with (actually becoming more selfish!).
Besides being a sufferer, I`m also a psychologist, and I`ll recommend this book to all clients suffering from clinical depression. I really like the way the author "speaks to me": With a sense of humour, a down to earth approach and never condescending. He sound like the psychiatrist from heaven!

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