Ten Days to Self-Esteem
Author: David D. Burns
List Price: $15.95
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ISBN: 0688094554
Publisher: Quill (07 April, 1999)
Sales Rank: 1,426
Average Customer Rating: 3.32 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
This book can change your outlook on life.
Books like _Ten Days to Self Esteem_ can't help every one. But if you go at it with the right outlook it can change your life. Dr. Burns writes in a very clear, down-to-earth manner and has good real-life examples. His analyses of the causes of negative mindsets are well-based and accurate. He explains many possible causes of low self-esteem and offers many insights on how to face and defeat negative mindsets and thought. This book greatly helped me in my struggles with low self-esteem and poor body image. I strongly recommend others to give it a chance. The only thing you have to lose is unhappiness.
Rating: 5 out of 5
A mistitled, misunderstood book
I ignored the comments attached to this book before ordering, and I'm glad I did. As has often been said, a review says more about the reviewer than the object in question, mine included. This book is meant to accomplish very specific things, which are clearly outlined in the book, and it does those things extremely well.The problem is of course the title: it puts the book in the "thinner thighs" niche, and this is no quick fix, fairy tale book. This is not a superficial or simplistic book, though it is simple. The book was originally written for a 10 day workshop for disadvantaged people of various types who had one thing in common: major depression. As such, it's sort of an inpatient book. Most of us can't do it in 10 business days, either because of the time required or because of the emotional stamina it would require.
I've read hundreds of self-help books over the years, and many of them have fine ideas. Like diets, though, we don't DO them. The point of this book is to put Burns' lessons down on paper, because that's the only way you learn. Keeping it in your head simply does not work(I've tried), no matter who you are.(I have three Ivy League degrees blah blah, but that's not worth a hill of beans in emotional healing or learning how to have a mental, spiritual, and physical life coexist happily.) CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)has been shown effective for people with not much education. It's the effort that counts, according to studies cited in his books.
I read Burns' first book over 10 years ago, but put it aside because it just was too much; it wasn't helpful to me at that point. I've come a long way since then, and now have the patience, persistence, and yes desperation, to do whatever I can. Luckily I stumbled across the first book again recently and recognized it for the gem it is. This workbook forces me to actually do the work instead of thinking about it. That has been extraordinarily valuable, because I am depressed, can't be bothered to do things, and don't want to do potentially painful things. Depression is a fierce, dangerous thing, and until I recognized it for what it is, I would not have taken the time and effort to do the book. FWIW.
I personally have fun drawing stick figures as the book suggests. Not much about depression work is fun, so I'll take it where I can get it, especially if it is also the most practical route to a better life.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Severe Depression and/or Low-Self Esteem? Don't Bother
My psychologist highly recommended this book to help me deal with my depression and low self-esteem. Even though I respect her, I can't say that this is the best method she could've suggested. First all, like other reviewers have said, it's impossible to "cure" depression and raise self-esteem in just ten days. It's also incredible to think that the pain I have suffered for years on end will be relieved just by reading a book. I haven't tried any other workbooks, so maybe there are some that would beneficial, but this is not one of them. I felt that after reading some of Ten Days to Self-Esteem and doing several Self-Help Activities, I felt much worse than before. The activities, rather than focusing on positive events, focus on the negative. I found myself being asked to recall (and write about) painful events that I would rather put behind me. The author has written the book as if depression and low self-esteem is a minor issue. His 'lessons' consist of plain-old common sense (as in 'You Feel the Way You Think'). It's safe to say that I've been feeling much worse since I've picked up this book. If you, like myself, have severe depression or low self-esteem, do yourself a favor and do not purchase this book. This book would be better for someone who just has a 'case of the blues.' Similar Products
The Self-Esteem Workbook
The Feeling Good Handbook
Feeling Good : The New Mood Therapy
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