Breaking the Patterns of Depression

In this carefully constructed self-help guide for those with mild to moderate depression, a clinical psychologist and family therapist in Southern California offers specific strategies for changing a negative, self-defeating attitude to an optimistic, hopeful view. Yapko sees depression not as a disease that must be treated with medicine but as a problem that can often be dealt with by learning to change existing patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. Rather than dwelling on the patient's past experiences, he focuses on changing the present and thus shaping the future with a combination of cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal therapies. Discussions of case studies lead to ""Pause and Reflect"" exercises, which are augmented by ""Learn by Doing"" practices that require performance of some action. Yapko provides helpful summaries at the end of each chapter. His prose is clear and has a refreshingly low psychobabble quotient, and the tone is upbeat. A concluding chapter offers guidance on when and how to obtain professional help. (Feb.)