Feeling Good by David Burns, M.D.

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, written by American psychiatrist Dr. David D. Burns and first published in 1980, popularized cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It is the book that has been most used in the bibliotherapy arm of research studies looking at treatment of depression. Burns explains how one’s mood is influenced by thoughts and behaviours. He details how to identify and challenge cognitive distortions, and techniques to self-activate. He addresses anger, guilt, approval seeking, perfectionism, and hopelessness. He includes examples and exercises throughout the book.

RESEARCH STUDIES

  1. Smith, Nancy M., Mark R. Floyd, Forrest Scogin, and Christine S. Jamison. 1997. "Three-Year Follow-Up of Bibliotherapy for Depression." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 65 (2): 324-327.

  2. Moldovan, Ramona, Oana Cobeanu, and Daniel David. 2013. "Cognitive Bibliotherapy for Mild Depressive Symptomatology: Randomized Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Mechanisms of Change: Cognitive Bibliotherapy for Mild Depressive Symptomatology." Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 20 (6): 482-493.

  3. Naylor, Elizabeth V., David O. Antonuccio, Mark Litt, Gary E. Johnson, Daniel R. Spogen, Richard Williams, Catherine McCarthy, Marcia M. Lu, David C. Fiore, and Dianne L. Higgins. 2010. "Bibliotherapy as a Treatment for Depression in Primary Care." Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings 17 (3): 258-271.

RECOMMENDED BY

  • Australian Family Physician

  • Levine, David. “Mental Health Experts Recommend Their Favorite Depression Books,” August 29, 2017. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-08-29/mental-health-experts-recommend-their-favorite-depression-books.

Anxiety and DepressionMartina ScholtensNon-Fiction