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The Depression Toolkit: Quick Relief to Improve Mood, Increase Motivation, and Feel Better Now
Your toolkit for managing and overcoming the worst symptoms of depression—quickly and effectively. In an increasingly stressful world—filled with fear and uncertainty—the prospect of effectively managing your depression can seem overwhelming. Add to that the all-consuming grind of day-to-day life, and things can get overwhelming in a hurry. Everyday tasks can seem like insurmountable challenges, your symptoms pile up, and relief slips further out of reach. Your mood becomes darker, your sense of isolation more extreme, and your motivation falls through the floor. What you need is relief—and STAT! Written by a veritable dream team of mental health experts, this short, easy-to-use guide offers evidence-based skills grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and behavioral activation to help you effectively manage negative thoughts, get motivated, rediscover hope, and develop healthy habits. Designed to get right to the point, this book wastes no time in giving you the tools you need to quickly improve your mood, get unstuck from difficult feelings, and stay on top of symptoms before they build up and get the best of you. The sooner your symptoms are under control, the sooner you can get back on track—happier, more motivated, and looking forward with hope. If you’re the type who likes to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of the matter, pick up this book, and pick up the tools inside—relief is only pages away.
136 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
About the author
William J. Knaus
21 books18 followersWilliam J. Knaus, EdD, is a licensed psychologist with more than forty-six years of clinical experience working with people suffering from anxiety, depression, and procrastination. He has appeared on numerous regional and national television shows, including The Today Show, and more than 100 radio shows. His ideas have appeared in national magazines such as U.S. News & World Report and Good Housekeeping, and major newspapers such as The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. He is one of the original directors of postdoctoral psychotherapy training in rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Knaus is the author or coauthor of over twenty books, including The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety, The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression, and The Procrastination Workbook.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 1, 2022
The Depression Toolkit by William Knaus, Alex Korb, Patricia J. Robinson, Lisa M. Schab, and Kirk D. Strosahl offers a combination of evidence-based tools to help readers with depression feel better.
It contains 46 activities divided into 5 sections: find refuge from negative thoughts, get unstuck when you’re down, beat hopelessness and low motivation, make easy habit changes that you’ll thank yourself for later, and deal with the tough stuff. Each activity begins with a “what to know” section followed by “what to do.” Most activities are 2-3 pages, so the book is short and easy to read.
There’s a strong cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) element. The book addresses topics like sleep, mindfulness, physical activity, avoidance, and accumulating positives. It’s quite practical and action-oriented, with various examples given of ways to implement the different strategies.
Something I’ve noticed in other CBT books, and in this book to some extent, is an air of certainty that the strategies described will always work without fail. I find that to be a bit of a turnoff, as nothing is guaranteed to work for everyone. There’s no mention of the possibility of needing to consider meds, managing suicidal thoughts, or what to do if the strategies in the book aren’t cutting it, so I think the book is probably aimed at the lower end of the depression severity spectrum.
If the book’s subtitle, Quick Relief to Improve Mood, Increase Motivation & Feel Better Now, sounds somewhat within reach for you, I can see this being a really good book. If you’re in the boat where that subtitle makes you think been there, done that, and it doesn’t work that way, then it’s probably not the right book for you.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
It contains 46 activities divided into 5 sections: find refuge from negative thoughts, get unstuck when you’re down, beat hopelessness and low motivation, make easy habit changes that you’ll thank yourself for later, and deal with the tough stuff. Each activity begins with a “what to know” section followed by “what to do.” Most activities are 2-3 pages, so the book is short and easy to read.
There’s a strong cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) element. The book addresses topics like sleep, mindfulness, physical activity, avoidance, and accumulating positives. It’s quite practical and action-oriented, with various examples given of ways to implement the different strategies.
Something I’ve noticed in other CBT books, and in this book to some extent, is an air of certainty that the strategies described will always work without fail. I find that to be a bit of a turnoff, as nothing is guaranteed to work for everyone. There’s no mention of the possibility of needing to consider meds, managing suicidal thoughts, or what to do if the strategies in the book aren’t cutting it, so I think the book is probably aimed at the lower end of the depression severity spectrum.
If the book’s subtitle, Quick Relief to Improve Mood, Increase Motivation & Feel Better Now, sounds somewhat within reach for you, I can see this being a really good book. If you’re in the boat where that subtitle makes you think been there, done that, and it doesn’t work that way, then it’s probably not the right book for you.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
May 7, 2022
I am a mental health nurse and psychotherapist, this book is suited to someone with low mood/ mild depression. It's easy to read and the recommendations are helpful. This book doesn't take the place of a qualified professional and is quite brief but is a great reference when you know the tools and need a refresher.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 1, 2022
Overall, this book is a great compilation of depression fighting tools. I like now research is interspersed throughout the book. There were a lot of writing activities and mindfulness/meditation activities that I did not really connect with since I do not like writing. I see how this would be a good book for professionals to read as well.
If you think of depression on a spectrum, on one end mild depression (maybe seasonal) and on the other end severely depressed (i.e. suicidal) - this book is geared towards people who are mild to moderately depressed. I can't see a severely depressed buying this book, doing the activities, having the concentration to read, or having the motivation to do any of what this book says. That does not mean that this book wouldn't benefit severely depressed people - just that I have a hard time seeing anyone super depressed having the motivation to reach for this book and try any of the activities. For example, my father is major depression disorder. He lays in bed all day with no stimulation (ex: no tv, music, pets, social interaction, books, etc.). He does not take care of his personal hygiene and has been 51-50'd multiple times. I could (and have) mentioned some of the activities noted in this book (like taking a hot shower, take a walk, start doing things he liked to do like swimming), but has my dad done any of these things? No. It's hard for depressed people to start with "just one step in the right direction" because they are so listless and hopeless they cannot see the point or have any feeling of joy. You can't make them take their anti-depressants or go to therapy or force them to do any of these activities.
Depressed people aren't dumb - most already know what they need to be doing or what will help them combat depressed (i.e. exercise, social interaction, focusing on the positive and things you are able to control, going outside, medication, therapy). This book goes into details about how to do those things, but it's not magic - it cannot make a depressed person do the anti-depression things. That is the rub with mental illness - you cannot fight the fight for someone else..
ARC provided by New Harbinger Publications, Inc. & NetGalley.
If you think of depression on a spectrum, on one end mild depression (maybe seasonal) and on the other end severely depressed (i.e. suicidal) - this book is geared towards people who are mild to moderately depressed. I can't see a severely depressed buying this book, doing the activities, having the concentration to read, or having the motivation to do any of what this book says. That does not mean that this book wouldn't benefit severely depressed people - just that I have a hard time seeing anyone super depressed having the motivation to reach for this book and try any of the activities. For example, my father is major depression disorder. He lays in bed all day with no stimulation (ex: no tv, music, pets, social interaction, books, etc.). He does not take care of his personal hygiene and has been 51-50'd multiple times. I could (and have) mentioned some of the activities noted in this book (like taking a hot shower, take a walk, start doing things he liked to do like swimming), but has my dad done any of these things? No. It's hard for depressed people to start with "just one step in the right direction" because they are so listless and hopeless they cannot see the point or have any feeling of joy. You can't make them take their anti-depressants or go to therapy or force them to do any of these activities.
Depressed people aren't dumb - most already know what they need to be doing or what will help them combat depressed (i.e. exercise, social interaction, focusing on the positive and things you are able to control, going outside, medication, therapy). This book goes into details about how to do those things, but it's not magic - it cannot make a depressed person do the anti-depression things. That is the rub with mental illness - you cannot fight the fight for someone else..
ARC provided by New Harbinger Publications, Inc. & NetGalley.
November 3, 2022
The Depression Toolkit is an amazing resource for someone to use when trying to combat negative thinking, obsessive thoughts, and feeling "down." This book provides the easiest, effective strategies to use when attempting to resolve these issues. The strategies are written in an easy to follow format, with anecdotes from real people so that you can see that the strategy has worked for others. This book is easy to follow and implement. You don't have to go through the book in a systematic fashion. You can look at the table of contents, see what you want to work on and go to that particular section. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 19, 2022
🌟🌟💫
I am not a fan.
In spite of the research and reference list to show that effort was put into it, a lot of it was pretty much a no-brainer...HOWEVER, when a person is suffering from depression and you tell them to think happy thoughts, erm, what is the probability that just by doing that, things get better. I felt it was lacking in depth and just stated the obvious. There are better books outside.
And yes, i get it is a toolkit but really, this is not the toolkit for me when I feel low. I felt frustrated versus hopeful on getting out of the rut.
I am not a fan.
In spite of the research and reference list to show that effort was put into it, a lot of it was pretty much a no-brainer...HOWEVER, when a person is suffering from depression and you tell them to think happy thoughts, erm, what is the probability that just by doing that, things get better. I felt it was lacking in depth and just stated the obvious. There are better books outside.
And yes, i get it is a toolkit but really, this is not the toolkit for me when I feel low. I felt frustrated versus hopeful on getting out of the rut.
December 22, 2021
46 activities providing readers with concrete sequences to take on should they feel depressed or desire to "feel better now." The authors execute this introductory overview wonderfully and in simple, layman terms readable by the general public. A highly recommended guide for those feeling blue or seeking to learn more about how to improve their mental health, especially during these uncertain times, while awaiting professional help or determine their personal need for it.
March 18, 2022
What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was concise. Sometimes, you just want something quick to look at to use as a guide when you are struggling with depression. In other self-help books, there are a lot of stories and examples, which is nice too in that it shows evidence that what is being talked about works, but it takes forever to get to the point. I borrowed this from the library, but I'm considering buying my own copy to use as a quick reference when needed.
March 19, 2022
Choose positive thoughts.
Plan activities you like to do.
Understand your triggers.
Avoid. Adjust. Alter your thinking.
Stop negative focus on the past.
Stop negative focus on the future.
Write negative thoughts on paper and rip, burn or flush the paper.
Focus on the present.
Don't procrastinate. Just do it.
Plan activities you like to do.
Understand your triggers.
Avoid. Adjust. Alter your thinking.
Stop negative focus on the past.
Stop negative focus on the future.
Write negative thoughts on paper and rip, burn or flush the paper.
Focus on the present.
Don't procrastinate. Just do it.
April 24, 2022
“The Depression Toolkit: Quick Relief to Improve Mood, Increase Motivation, and Feel Better Now” is better if working from beginning to end. Each chapter builds upon the other. There are suggestions and activities. Implement what you want. It only works when you put in the effort to improve yourself. You don’t have to follow what’s in the book to a tee. Take what you need, and leave the rest.
August 24, 2022
I realize it’s a toolkit, but I thought it lacked depth.
I appreciated the practical exercises and short chapters though.
I appreciated the practical exercises and short chapters though.
January 1, 2023
As someone who has depression, it gave me some ideas on how to recognize my low points and how to deal with them.
April 24, 2022
The Depression Toolkit: Quick Relief to Improve Mood, Increase Motivation, and Feel Better Now is better if working from beginning to end. Each chapter builds upon the other. There are suggestions and activities. Implement what you want. It only works when you put in the effort to improve yourself. You don’t have to follow what’s in the book to a tee. Take what you need, and leave the rest.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews