Surviving the Darkness: Lessons learned from experience
After years of learning from his suffering, Nicholls outlines some practical tools for coping with depression and anxiety, overcoming common obstacles, restoring hope through the discovery of pathways to recovery, and if you care for someone with depression, providing them with meaningful support.
Who should read Surviving the Darkness
Surviving the Darkness will doubtless be invaluable to anyone who has a diagnosis of depression and anxiety, presenting a realistic portrait of the many pathways to recovery. For caregivers and supporters of those with depression, Nicholls offers helpful suggestions including comprehensive tables detailing things to say (and to avoid saying), warning signs to look out for, prevention tips and the importance of self-care.
What you will get from reading this book
- A concise, thought-provoking account about recovery from depression and anxiety.
- Useful references and practical tools for sufferers and carers.
- Guidance on ways to overcome common obstacles (the barriers to treatment).
- How to become ’the driver, not a passenger’ in your recovery.
- An understanding of the treatment options including tips on selecting your Recovery Team and how to identify ’good’ therapy.
- Coping strategies that you can use or adapt to your situation.
- Benefits of the lessons learned over many years from a battle with depression and anxiety.
- An abundance of encouragement and ultimately, the means of restoring hope.
Once you have these practical tools at your disposal, Surviving the Darkness becomes the only option.
Innehållsförteckning
Chapter One: Into the Darkness
– Doctor, I have a few questions
– The shadow boxer
– What caused me to be depressed?
– How long will it last?
– What treatments are available?
Chapter Two: The Black Hole
– The status quo
– No fuel in the tank
– Why is everything blue?
– All pain, no pleasure
– Why can’t I concentrate?
– Beware of the black dog!
– I am a failure
– Adjusting the belt
– To sleep or not to sleep-that is not the question
– Mountains from molehills
– Enter anxiety
Chapter Three: Barriers to Treatment
– Back to the railway station
– Stigma
– Perceptions become a reality
– Symptoms as barriers
– Adequacy of support
– Lack of resources
Chapter Four: No Pain. No Gain.
– Medications
– Psychotherapists
– Exercise and lifestyle choices
– The keys to successful treatment
Chapter Five: Coping Strategies
– Coping strategies that worked
– Important lessons learned
– Other alternatives
Chapter Six: Your Recovery Team
– Selecting your therapist
– Who can be your therapist?
– How do I find a psychologist?
– What to consider when making the choice
– What to expect in your first few therapy sessions
– Identifying warning signs
– Finding a therapeutic alliance
– What is ’good’ therapy?
– During the sessions
– After the sessions
– Evaluating other team members
Chapter Seven: Practical tips for carers and supporters
– Platitudes do not cure depression
– Table 1: What not to say
– No magic words
– Table 2: What to say
– Warning signs
– A note about warning signs
– Prevention tips
– Self-care for the supporter
Chapter Eight: Beyond Darkness
What did you think?
Acknowledgments
Endnotes
About the Author
Om författaren
Robert Nicholls is a freelance writer. His blog, robertnicholls.online, is focused on mental health (depression and anxiety), self-help, personal development, business, governance, leadership, life, society and culture. Nicholls lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
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