Robert L. Leahy - Beat the Blues Before They Beat You: How to Overcome Depression

Praise for

Beat the Blues Before They Beats U

Beat the Blues Before They Beat Youis a masterful
guide by a masterful clinician. It lays out the typical problems
of depression and provides clear explanations as to how to solve
them. This is a must-read for anyone suffering from depression
and who hasnt at some point in his or her life?

Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Emeritus Professor
in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of
Pennsylvania, winner of the Lasker Award in Medicine

If you are depressed or vulnerable to depression, this book is for
you. Written by one of the worlds leading experts in cognitive-behavior
therapy, it provides a thoughtful and balanced account of
depression and how to overcome it using tried and tested strategies.

Christopher G. Fairburn, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry,
University of Oxford, author of Overcoming Binge Eating

Dr. Leahy is unique in the mental-health field in his
combination of high rigor, accessibility, and readability to
consumers and clinicians alike. His new book,Beat the Blues
Before They Beat You,is the epitome of these qualities and
will be of genuine help to those who suffer from depression.

Thomas Joiner, distinguished Research Professor and Bright-Burton
Professor of Psychology, author of Why People Die from Suicide

Beat the Blues Before They Beat Yougives clear-headed,
concise, and practical guidelines for tackling the most common
problems in depression. Based on the most current research and
clinical work, Leahy once again gives you the tools to help yourself
overcome your depression. Its a book that you can pick up and
start using today. Empowering, engaging, and enlightening.

Allison Harvey, University of California, Berkeley

Eminently readable and practical, this state-of-the-art book
provides compassionate and user-friendly help for beating depression.
I highly recommend it both to practitioners and their patients.

G. Terence Wilson, Ph.D.,Oscar K. Buros Professor of Psychology,
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

ALSO BY ROBERT LEAHY,PH.D

Anxiety Free*

The Worry Cure

The Therapeutic Relationship in the
Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies

Contemporary Cognitive Therapy

Psychological Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Roadblocks in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Therapy Techniques

Bipolar Disorder: A Cognitive Therapy Approach

Overcoming Resistance in Cognitive Therapy

Treatment Plans and Interventions for
Depression and Anxiety Disorders

*Available from Hay House

Please visit:

Hay House USA: www.hayhouse.com
Hay House Australia: www.hayhouse.com.au
Hay House UK: www.hayhouse.co.uk
Hay House South Africa: www.hayhouse.co.za
Hay House India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Copyright 2010 by Robert Leahy

Published and distributed in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published and distributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.za Distributed in Canada by: Raincoast: www.raincoast.com Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Design: Tricia Breidenthal

Page 107: Excerpt from The Guest House by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, from The Essential Rumi, 1997 by Coleman Barks. Used by permission of the translator.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Leahy, Robert L.
Beat the blues before they beat you : how to overcome depression/
Robert L. Leahy. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4019-2168-2 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Depression,
Mental--Popular works. 2. Depressed persons--Life skills guides. I.
Title.
RC537.L425 2010
616.8527-dc22

2010003534

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4019-2168-2

Digital ISBN: 978-1-4019-2866-7

13 12 11 10 4 3 2 1
1st edition, August 2010

Printed in the United States of America

To Aaron T. Beck, founder congitive theraphy

whose work has saved my lives

Many thanks to you inspiring me

CONTENTS

Im a Loser:
How to Handle Your Self-criticism

How to Feel Good Enough

How to Build Your Motivation

How to Overcome Your Indecision

How to Overcome Your Rumination

How to Make Your Friendships More Rewarding

How to Overcome Your Loneliness

How to Empower Your Intimate Relationship

How to Prevent Relapse

It all feels so hopeless, Karen said. As she looked into her hands, her tears began to fall. Its hard to get up in the morning. I set the alarm but dont want to drag myself out of bed. My heart sinks when I think of going to work. I dread the mornings. I dont have anything to look forward to.

Each morning, Karen would awaken in the early hours and feel an overwhelming sadness. She would lay in bed, alone, thinking about how bad her life was. Why am I like this? I cant seem to get anything right. These painful, sorrowful thoughts flooded her mind and made her feel as if there was no reason to go on. The dawn had yet to break, and she had begun another day in misery. I find myself crying for no good reason, she told me. I just wish I could go back to sleepforever.

Karen was 32 when she first came to see me. She had been separated from Gary for more than a year, and the divorce would be final in a few months. Their marriage had started off badly four years beforeGary was domineering, dismissive of Karens feelings, and critical of almost everything she did. She said to me, almost apologetically, I tried to be a good wife. Then she added, in her defense, I was working hard at the office and couldnt always get everything done at home the way Gary wanted it done. He would call her irresponsible, lazy, and careless. If she fought back, he would simply put her down more. Nothing was good enough for Gary. He felt superior. And Karen felt beaten down.