The Depression Trap
Ten Ways to Set Yourself Free

The Depression Trap


RESOURCES



I have collected together various websites, articles and books on depression and depression cures. I aim to keep this list as up to date as possible. If any of the websites are no longer active, or you wish to suggest additions to the list then please email me. (You can read more about all these approaches and ideas in my book.)






GENERAL DEPRESSION


Websites

Depression Alliance
The leading UK charity for people affected by depression.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
US-based patient-directed organisation focusing on depression and bi-polar disorders.

Depression-Helper
General information about depression, including a collection of articles.

Fighting Depression
Brings together information about depression from various sources.

MIND
The leading general mental health charity in England and Wales.

Books

Natural Highs by Patrick Holford and Dr Hyla Cass. Piatkus Books 2005.
Feeling Good Handbook (Plume) by D Burns. Plume 2000.



BIOLOGICAL THEORIES
(Seratonin, genes, chemical imbalances etc.)


Websites

‘5-HTT: The gene for susceptibility to depression?’
Information on genes and depression produced as an assignment for an undergraduate course at Davidson College.

‘Depression: Beyond serotonin’
An article by Hara Estrof Morano in Psychology Today.

Books

The Biology of Belief by Dr Bruce Lipton. Cygnus Books 2005.
Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain, by Sue Gerhardt. Brunner-Routledge 2004.



ANTIDERPESSANTS


Websites

‘Depression: Management of depression in primary and secondary care – NICE guidance’
Contains links to various documents issued by NICE on the treatment of depression.




COUNSELLING


Websites

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Includes a therapist directory and information about ethical guidelines and counselling news.

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Includes a therapist directory, selfhelp information, complaints procedures and frequently asked questions.

Nancy Hine Counselling
My counselling website, including further information on gestalt counselling and depression.

Books

Four Approaches to Counselling and Psychotherapy by Windy Dryden and Jill Mytton. Routledge 1999.



COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY


Websites

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
Includes a therapist directory.

‘Cognitive behavioural therapy’
A free leaflet on CBT from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Books

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies by Ron Willson and Rhena Branch. John Wiley & Sons 2006.



HYPNOTHERAPY


Websites

British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Includes a therapist directory and further information about hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

The General Hypnotherapy Register
Consists of individual practitioners and is open to any hypnotherapist who is able to satisfy the criteria with regard to both training and ongoing requirements as determined from time to time by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council.

The Hypnotherapy Association of the UK
Includes a therapist directory and further information about hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

The National Council for Hypnotherapy
Includes a therapist directory and further information about hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

Books

Taproots: Underlying Principles of Milton Erickson's Therapy and Hypnosis by William Hudson O’Hanlon. Norton and Company, 1987.



EXERCISE


Websites

‘Aerobic exercise beats drugs for depression’
An article by Isabel Walker.

‘Beat the blues with exercise’
An article by Louise Manson.

‘Up and running? Exercise therapy and the treatment of mild or moderate depression in primary care’
Issued by the Mental Health Foundation in 2005.




YOGA


Websites

Yoga Journal
Website containing current articles on yoga. Search to find articles on depression. The British Wheel of Yoga
Website for the governing body for yoga in Great Britain that includes a directory of yoga teachers.

Iyenga Yoga Association
Official website of the Iyenga Yoga Association of Great Britain, including a directory of yoga teachers.

Books

Yoga for Depression: A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga by Amy Weintraub. Broadway Books 2003.



DIET AND NUTRITION


Websites

‘5HTP side effects’
An article by Lorraine Grula.

Depression-help-for-you.com
Information on the diet and depression link.

‘Diet and depression: Is there a link? Can it hurt to try?’
An article by Kat Fallon.

Books

Patrick Holford's New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind by Patrick Holford. Judy Piatkus 2003.



HERBS


Websites

The Herb Research Foundation
Various articles on St John’s wort (use the search facility to find them>.

The Herb Society
General information about herbs.

The Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners
Includes a directory of therapists from many traditions and further information about herbal medicine.


MEDITATION


Websites

Depression and Meditation
One woman’s personal experience.

Wildmind.org
Meditation and depression from a Buddhist perspective.

Books

Learn To Meditate by David Fontana. Duncan Baird Publishers 1999.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Hodder and Stoughton 2001.



COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
The evidence to support the use of complementary therapies to treat depression is mixed. In many cases the clinical research is yet to be done, but there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that they may help. I cover this in more detail in my book.


Websites

 ‘Depression, anxiety and acupuncture: The evidence for effectiveness’
A briefing paper from the British Acupuncture Council addressing the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating depression.

The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Includes a therapist directory and information about traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture.

 The British Acupuncture Council
Includes a therapist directory and general information about acupuncture.

British Homeopathic Association
Includes a therapist directory, general information and research on homeopathy.

The Reflexology Association
Includes therapist directory and general information about reflexology.

The UK Reiki Federation
Includes therapist directory and general information about Reiki.




SELF HELP
Self Help can be very supportive as an addition to your main choice of treatment, but should not be seen as a replacement for professional help.


Websites

‘Healing depression with music’
An article by Monalisa Hyden.

Books

The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion by Valerie Ann Worwood. Bantam Books 1997.
Frontiers of Health: How to Heal the Whole Person by Dr Christine Page. C W Daniel Co Ltd, 2000.
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by HH Dali Lama & Howard Cutler. Hodder and Stoughton 1998.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hey. Hey House Inc, 2002.



INSPIRATIONAL
This is a list of books, websites etc. that you may find inspirational.


"One Hundred Years of Ermintrude "
a book of meditative poetry written by Tom Evans.




PRACTICAL HELP
Sometimes practial problems can cause or contribute to depression.
Here are some websites with good advice that may help.


Citizens Advice
free advice on benefits, housing, employment rights, discrimination, debt and tax issues.

Connexions
free advice for young people on housing, health, money, relationships, your rights, etc.

National Debtline
free debt advice.

Women's Aid
Help for victims of domestic violence. Free 24 helpline, plus online information.








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