Neuropsychopharmacology Books

The Feeling Good Handbook

David D. Burns

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A Critical Analysis of the Feeling Good Handbook 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 9 people found this review helpful.

Abstract

The following study investigates the text, The Feeling Good Handbook, by David Burns. Specifically addressed are issues regarding the cognitive-behavioral model of twisted thinking, moral relativism, and the denial of objective truth. It was found that the text provides an inadequate definition and application regarding moral and objective truth issues. Recommendations for revision of the model are included.


A Critical Analysis of the Feeling Good
Handbook: Its Usefulness in Counseling Practice

In addition to the popular text Feeling Good, which became a national bestseller, and The Therapists Toolkit, a resource developed for mental health practitioners, David Burns released The Feeling Good Handbook, a 729-page (including index) guide to cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Semantically speaking, the text is well written, in simple (approximately 8th grade level) English, and is specifically marketed as a self-help text, though its usefulness for counselors is evident in that throughout the text the reader is often asked to assume the roll of the counselor, and after Burns describes a therapeutic technique, the reader is asked in a presented milieu, to implement that technique (for example, responding to a hypothetical client in a vignette empathetically).

In beginning to review this text, it is noticed a review can be accomplished in two ways. One, the text can be analyzed in respect to how it communicates the points it attempts to make (presentation), how it facilitates the ability in the reader to implement what is learned into his/her life or practice (application), and it can be reviewed in regards to how accurately the book delivers the ideas of cognitive therapy, mood therapy, empathetic response, etc. In all these aspects the book veers well--quite well--for even Albert Ellis (who holds a reputation of not being impressed with others' therapeutic approaches) critiques the text as "Clear, systematic, forceful."

The second approach to analyzing the text, the approach that will be taken, involves an investigation of one can trust as a suitable methodology the tenets from which the text is written, the tenets of cognitive therapy. It will address where the tactics disclosed by Burns are believed to be useful, and when it is hypothesized they would falter in a counseling practice.
Understanding Your Moods

Burns begins discussing moods by stating the fallacy clients often share, which is "I just can't help the way I feel" (Burns, 1999, p. 3). He then states a grounding premise of cognitive behavioral theory, which is that one's thoughts create moods. Quoting Ellis, the acronym A + B = C is stated. In this formula, A is the presenting event, B is the thoughts of the client, and C is the way the client feels. This formula is to show As do not create Cs--that is, what happens to a person does not effect that person's mood. The thoughts the person maintains affect the person's mood.

However, in reading the text, it is found that the true formula used in the text is not A + B = C, it is B = C, A = 0. The point being, the book extremely minimizes the effect of A. A, in essence, is described as a force that is prone to trying to manipulate one's B to produce unpleasant C's, but is in itself generally insignificant. More clearly, the situations, trials, relationships, and anything else external a person confronts merely challenges a person's thoughts. If the thoughts can be changed, or maintained as healthy thoughts, the person will always report a pleasant mood (C).

According to Burns, "sadness and depression result from thoughts of loss," "Anxiety and panic result from thoughts of danger," and "Guilt results from the thought that you are bad" (Burns, 1999, p. 5). To Dr. David Burns' credit he does state the following, which he titles a disclaimer: that there are times when negative feelings are appropriate and healthy, and that "learning when to accept these feelings and how to cope with a realistically negative situation is just as important as learning how to rid yourself of distorted thoughts and feelings" (p. 7). The reader must ask him/herself at this point, if Dr. Burns believes this amazingly astute point (i.e. equal importance), why then is only one line spent addressing that As are relevant, while 728.5 pages are spent denying their relevance?
False Sincerity of the Empathetic Response

A rebuttal to the statement that Burns' methodology denies all relevance of coping with a negative situation would probably include the premise that such is accomplished with the use of the empathetic response. The problem with this premise however, is the use of the empathetic response validates nothing. The therapist agrees to none of the truth that the client speaks. The empathetic response simply makes the client aware that the counselor is aware of his/her hurtful thinking.

Reading the text a reader might be perplexed with the question, when is there objective truth in thinking? More specifically, can not hurtful thinking (i.e. I have been a terrible father) be accurate? And if it is accurate, who is to say disposing of this accurate--though hurtful thought--is in essence better for the client than allowing the client to maintain this thought until the client changes his/her behavior so that the client can display another more healthy, and accurate, thought, (i.e. I am no longer a terrible father). However, by Burns' model, the man who states he is a terrible father, even if it is true (by all ability to quantify what a terrible father is), will be handled in the following way.

One, the client would be empathized with: "You are telling me that you are not a very good father, and you are clearly upset with that." Two, the counselor might disclose an "I feel" statement: "I would definitely not want to feel like I was a terrible father. That must be a horrible feeling." Three, it would be suggested to the client that he has twisted thinking which include "Should Statements" (You are wrongly telling yourself you should not be a terrible father), "Labeling" (there is no such thing as a terrible father, just persons who act the roll sometimes), "All-or-Nothing thinking" (surely you have done something that was not terrible--for example you are in therapy), "Overgeneralization" (Being a terrible father is a general simplification. Burns states "there are no Jerks in America" only persons who act like jerks from time to time), "Mental Filter" (you are pretty upset over this whole fatherhood thing. Lets think on things you're not terrible at), and the list goes on.

Burns' model provides no basis for determining what is "twisted thinking" and what is thinking that is the downright painful truth. He states, there are no Jerks in America--just those that act like Jerks. But if a "jerk" does not exist, then from what basis can one state an action as jerk-like? Furthermore, in the 700 plus pages of text on how to handle clients, not once does Burns confront a client because his/her thinking was pleasant but skewed. Therefore, it is a safe conclusion that--though Burns may briefly claim otherwise--to Burns pleasant thinking is correct thinking.

This is further evidenced in text when Burns addresses confrontation. Choices of words include "it was unpleasant when" or "I felt uncomfortable when" (Burns, 1999, p. 156). Both are notoriously relative remarks. There is no claim to objective truth; there is no "what you did was wrong," or "I was treated unjustly." Such relativism can be no more apparent than in the following excerpt:
You may have difficulty with this idea [that there is not use for shoulds]. You may insist that there's nothing wrong with using the word "should." You may think that it's your duty to clean your desk or to study hard. You may feel it is something you should do!

There are actually [only] three valid uses of the word "should" in the English language. One is the "moral should." You "should" not intentionally take advantage of someone, because this violates your moral code. The second is the "legal should." You should not drive at 90mph because it is dangerous and you'll probably get a ticket. The third is the "laws of the universe should." Things "should" happen because the forces of nature make them happen. For example, if you drop a pen, it "should" fall because of the force of gravity (p. 179).

The enormity of the errors in the thinking above is staggering. First, the only two claims of truth presented above are (one) that it is wrong believe one ought to believe there are moral shoulds or shoulds caused by one's duty, and (two) that the English dictionary agrees with David Burns. Both claims are false.

It is very possible that someone could have a duty to study. A physician being paid to study the effects of a rare disease infecting his/her patient, for example, is an explicit instance when there is a definite "should" due to duty. One would concur that the situation would not have to be so dire (matter of life and death) to still constitute a legitimate should. Though Burns--in the quote above--states that one "feels" shoulds, and does not know them or objectively understand them (lines 3-4).

Next, Burns' first definition of a true should is logically meaningless, in that he states it is truth that one should not take advantage of someone (a valid should) because it violates the person's moral code. Therefore, Burns is saying, as long as one is not violating their own relative moral code, he/she can take advantage of anyone and not be violating a "should." Burns' second definition, regarding the legal should, is quite depraved in that he states speeding violates a legal should (true) because one could hurt him/herself or get a ticket. In reality, Burns is not addressing a legal should at all for legally the should would remain constant whether on not the violator injures him/herself, or receives a ticket for the violation. What Burns is really stating in his example is the claim that one should not partake of behavior that may cause As that could instigate unpleasant Bs.

Lastly, Burns demotes the laws of physics, to the shoulds of physics! If one drops a pen according to Burns, it should hit the floor. According to the law of gravity however, if one drops a pen, it will hit the floor.
Discussion

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective. Burns does a fantastic job of describing how to implement cognitive principles into one's personal life, even into one's counseling practice. The ideas are useful for healing. However, the theory is weak in that it does not provide the practitioner, nor the client, correct direction regarding what is twisted thinking, and what is true--though painful--thinking.

Final Note: Telephone and Online Counseling may be a good way to provide quick and effective care to clients. Learn to provide Telephone and Online Counseling with this very well done book: The Therapist's Clinical Guide to Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling: The Definitive Training Guide for Clinical Practice

Editorial Review:

This book helps you: free yourself from fears, phobias and panic attacks; overcome self-defeating attitudes; discover the five secrets of intimate communication; put an end to marital conflict; and, conquer your procrastination and unleash your potential for success. In "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" Dr David Burns introduced a groundbreaking, drug-free treatment for depression that has helped millions of people around the world. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, he reveals powerful new techniques and provides practical exercises that will help you cope with problems and learn how to make life a happier, more exhilarating experience.

The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs, Revised and Updated

Jack M. Gorman

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Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

More than 150,000 copies in print, 4th Edition

GET THE FACTS. GET THE BEST TREATMENT. GET BETTER

The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs has become a classic and indispensable resource for the layperson and professional alike. Informative, accessible, and easy to use, this newly revised and updated resource presents comprehensive information on the latest drugs and research, covering most adult mental health problems. It also includes balanced information on controversial topics like the risk of suicide from antidepressants and the risk of obesity and diabetes from antipsychotics.

This book will help people with psychiatric problems, as well as their concerned families and friends, to better understand when drug therapy should be considered, which drugs should be used, for how long, and what side effects are expected.

Includes the latest information on:

-Antidepressants

-Antipsychotics

-Side effects and withdrawal symptoms

-Specific usage, dosage duration, and efficacy

“This book…meets a critical need…for the millions of people for whom psychiatric drugs are so important.” -Herbert Pardes, past President of the American Psychiatric Association.

Jack M. Gorman, M.D. has been involved in psychiatric research, teaching, and patient care for more than two decades. He has been Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, and lectures frequently throughout the country. He is the author of The Essential Guide to Mental Health.

The Therapist's Guide to Psychopharmacology: Working with Patients, Families, and Physicians to Optimize Care

JoEllen Patterson, A. Ari Albala, Margaret E. McCahill, Todd M. Edwards

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Very helpful, but some info too basic 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This guide is very helpful. The emphasis on how to work with medical doctors and medical conditions is great. Some of the info was too basic for anyone with recent psychopharmacology training.

Great read, fast service! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book was well worth the money. It was easy to read and provided really great insight from different mental health professionals within the field. It is a nice investment for psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, and medical doctors that inevitably encounter issues regarding mental health.
I enjoyed the "whole"istic approach and highly recommend this book.

Editorial Review:

This indispensable book provides therapists and counselors with crucial knowledge about psychotropic medications: when and how to make medication referrals, how to help patients handle questions and problems that arise, and how to combine medication and psychotherapy effectively. Ideal for readers without extensive background in neurobiology, the book clearly explains how medications work in the brain and how they affect an individual's emotions, behavior, and relationships. Particular attention is given to strategies for collaborating successfully with prescribers. The authors also emphasize the important role that family members play in medication decision making and discuss ways to involve them in treatment.

A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape: The Topography of the Psychedelic Experience

Dan Carpenter

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A bold cartography of the inner landscape visible only to those experiencing altered states

• Presents the psychedelic experience as an objective landscape that embodies the Other, rather than a subjective state of mind

• Provides corroboration of phenomena encountered by those who venture into this domain

Journeying into the invisible world revealed by his use of the dissociative psychedelic DXM (dextromethorphan), Dan Carpenter found that what he experienced was not simply subjective sensations and psychological states but an objective world of familiar, if inordinately odd, landmarks and characters. The running diary he kept of these voyages recounts impressions of a landscape charted by other travelers into this Inner Space and includes descriptions of many of the same phenomena recorded by such mind travelers as Terence and Dennis McKenna, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, and others who have experienced the hive mind--the pool of all consciousness. Into this territory where expression is like chaos theory, where oddly symmetrical order manifests out of the seemingly anarchic swirl of images and events, the author ventures with the mind-set of a naturalist, accepting whatever might be rather than what he hopes he might find. What emerges is not a location crafted by subjective experience, but a landscape that embodies the Other and that represents a conscious state in which the barriers between the self and the not-self dissolve.

5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia

N.D. Michael Murray

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Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

5-HTP is a naturally derived amino acid that has been shown in comprehensive studies to be safer than prescription drugs for the treatment of insomnia and depression, and can also be used for treating obesity, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and premenstrual syndrome. It may prove to be more popular than St. John's wort for the treatment of depression and other serotonin-related conditions, as it's been shown to produce results in as little as two weeks, while the herb may take a month or longer.

Author Michael Murray, N.D., a leading naturopath and coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, delves very deeply to explain the hows and whys of depression at the neurotransmitter level, and the illustrations of presynaptic membranes may be a bit much for the lay reader. There are also several sections with intimidating titles along the lines of "Enhancing 5-HTP with Catecholamine Precursors." But the book's comprehensiveness makes up for its occasional denseness. Murray includes enlightening sections on nutrition for peak serotonin synthesis, other complementary herbal supplements, and many online and physical sources for obtaining 5-HTP. --Erica Jorgensen

Autism and Its Medical Management: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Michael G., M.D. Chez

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Groundbreaking work. A must read. 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This book will not be without controversy. Dr. Chez offers sensible advice to parents and professionals that doesn't hesistate to touch the "third rail" issues in the autism community. Both conventional (excluding things like ABA)and alternative medical approaches are examined.

Dr. Chez, based on his 15-20 years as a Board Certified pediatric neurologist, weighs in strongly on the value and shortcomings in all of them. His own medical colleagues may be in for a bit of a shock in his criticism of mainstream medicine's care of children on the autism spectrum. Likewise, advocates of some (but not all) alternative approaches will not be pleased reading his views. But everyone ought to read them.

Dr. Chez is a big believer in treating indivdual patients individually but a theme throughout the book is the emergence of distinct autism sub-types. Dr. Chez argues that each can can call for sharply different interventions.

Editorial Review:

"Autism and its Medical Management" clearly explains the medical aspects of autism and how both parents and professionals can use current medical knowledge to better understand how to address the medical aspects of autism. The first section of the book provides an overview of autism and how to diagnose it. The different types of autism are identified and relevant medical amendments outlined. The author also provides an outline of recent research to enable parents and professionals to gain an understanding of the various factors that may contribute to the development of autistic spectrum disorder and the available treatment options. Bridging the communication gap between medical professionals and parents, this book offers accessible explanations of medical terminology and treatment relevant to ASDs and is an important tool for parents and professionals working with children with ASDs.

MSM the Definitive Guide: The Nutritional Breakthrough for Arthritis, Allergies and More

Stanley W. Jacob, Jeremy Appleton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Re-reviewed: I've become more positive about this book! 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 20 people found this review helpful.

I didn't know the author reacted to my review. I am very positive about his reaction, he is right that statements about how MSM might work are not stated as being his opinion but as existing theories.

Weaknesses in MSM research:
- The almost complete lack of double-blind research studies
- We still don't know how it works

I think the lack of double-blind research studies is the most worrying, and until there are enough of them do consider the possibility that you're throwing your money away. On the other hand, MSM has become dirt cheap. The fact that they don't know how it works is also worrying. On the other hand, there are many conventional drugs that work in ways the research don't or only partially understand.

Having now read some of the other MSM books, I think I can safely say this is one of the best ones. The fact the author responded to my criticism in a fair and balanced way is something not often seen in authors of health books. Just like with Doctors trying to push pills from a drug company they're receiving nice sums of money from, keep in mind the author is associated with a producer of MSM. He's not impartial, unfortunately that seems to be the way it is in the drug business. Considering the fact that pretty much anyone can afford to use MSM, it doesn't really bother me. People getting ripped off by pharmaceutical companies does bother me.

Most importantly for me, I suffer from allergies and MSM works for me like nothing else. Looking at the research, it could be entirely attributed to the placebo effect. I suspect MSM is a very powerful and very safe drug. Independently funded double-blind research (studies that compensate for the placebo effect) are essential to make MSM a believable drug. Until that time, websites like www.quackwatch.com have every right to question the effectiveness of MSM from a scientific perspective.

I think it deserves four stars, but I'm now giving five stars to compensate for my previous two stars. Please drop the word `definitive' when the book is reprinted. I get 44451 results when I search for 'definitive' on amazon.com! Most of these authors don't seem to have a clue about what the word `definitive' means.

Editorial Review:

The availability of MSM, its safe reputation, and its enormous therapeutic potential for clinically challenging conditions are well known to thousands of healthcare practitioners and patients world-wide. Scientists have been studying this remarkable nutrient for more than fifty years. Now you can learn about the science behind the supplement and discover its potential through documented clinical case studies.

A Guide To Treatments that Work

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A fully revised and updated edition of this unique and authoritative reference The award-winning A Guide to Treatments that Work , published in 1998, was the first book to assemble the numerous advances in both clinical psychology and psychiatry into one accessible volume. It immediately established itself as an indispensable reference for all mental health practitioners. Now in a fully updated edition,A Guide to Treatments that Work, Second Edition brings together, once again, a distinguished group of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists to take stock of which treatments and interventions actually work, which don't, and what still remains beyond the scope of our current knowledge. The new edition has been extensively revised to take account of recent drug developments and advances in psychotherapeutic interventions. Incorporating a wealth of new information, these eminent researchers and clinicians thoroughly review all available outcome data and clinical trials and provide detailed specification of methods and procedures to ensure effective treatment for each major DSM-IV disorder. As an interdisciplinary work that integrates information from both clinical psychology and psychiatry, this new edition will continue to serve as an essential volume for practitioners of every kind: psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, and mental health consultants.

Psychedelics Encyclopedia

Peter Stafford

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Disappointing. 3 out of 5 stars.
41 of 48 people found this review helpful.

This book has a number of blatant errors in it that caused me to question everything asserted as fact in this book. Examples of errors would be the error about the asymmetric carbon in MDMA and in the number of molecules in 2/100ths of a microgram of LSD. These are only a few of the errors, just for illustration.

I also find that the book logically contradicts itself often. For example, when making a point about LSD and alcoholism, the author makes it clear that the LSD experience is not like the DTs (and thus 'curing' alcoholism according to this hypothesis didn't work). Later, however, the author asserts high sucess rates for alcoholism treatment with LSD.

What disappoints me most about this book is that it is too obviously biased towards psychedelics drugs. When I bought the book I was really looking for something objective, but this book has almost nothing bad to say about psychedelic drugs at all. It ventures in to the absurd discourses of "enlightenment" and creativity enhancement under scientific pretenses.

I am all for legalizing psychedelic drugs. I have taken hundreds of psychedelic trips in my life. I am a pharmaceutical chemist. This book is a disappointment to me because it is just as misleading (though less inaccurate) than much anti-drug propaganda. If you're looking for an objective, balanced book about psychedelic drugs, this is not the book for you.

That being said, the redeeming quality of the book are the sections detailing the histories of each drug. These parts were very interesting. The book does a good job of detailing the attitudes of various societies at various times towards certain drugs.

Editorial Review:

Traces the history of the use of hallucinogenic drugs and discusses the psychological and physical effects of LSD, marijuana, mescaline, and other drugs.

Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology

Robert S. Feldman, Jerrold S. Meyer, Linda F. Quenzer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A must-have reference for any neuroscientist. 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This book contains a very thorough and in-depth review of every currently known neural transmitter system including synthesis, release, storage, receptors and pharmacology thereof, localization in the brain and relevance to clinical uses. Also included is a review of most drug classes and their interactions with various neurotransmitter systems. The figures in the book are particularly good, of above average detail and easy to understand. The reference section of cited papers is very useful for finding original research articles and data. I found the book to be a great resource for such diverse topics as neuroanatomy, pharmacology, neurotransmitters, action of drugs of abuse and mechanisms of schizophrenia and depression. The amount of information can be overwhelming and a few chapters are not as well-organized as could be, but the detailed glossary provides a very effective means of searching for almost any topic, or even specific chemicals mentioned in the book.

Editorial Review:

This comprehensive survey of neuropsychopharmacology is unique in its breadth of coverage, from molecular to behavioural pharmacology, and from basic animal studies of drug action to clinical applications. Lavish illustrations and concise chapter summaries reinforce key concepts, while extensive references point the way to further study. The book is intended for advanced undergraduate, graduate and medical students, and neuroscientists seeking current information on psychoactive drug. The first section serves as an introduction to, and general reference for, pharmacology and the basic neurosciences. Subsequent sections address the major neurotransmitter systems, various psychoactive drug classes and psychological and neurological disorders.