Antidepressant Skills Workbook

The Antidepressant Skills Workbook (ASW) is a self-care manual is based on the experience of the authors and on scientific research about which strategies work best in managing depression. It provides an overview of depression, explains how it can be effectively managed according to the best available research, and gives a step-by-step guide to changing patterns that trigger depression. 

In this self-care guide, we show how to use cognitive and behavioural methods to make important changes in thinking and actions that help one to emerge from depression and make it less likely to recur. These methods can be used in combination with depression treatments, increasing their effectiveness.

Note that for most people with serious depression, use of this self-help guide alone will not be sufficient to resolve the depression. People with serious depression should obtain treatment with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or antidepressant medication.

ASW is intended for:

• individuals with depressed mood
  
• concerned partners, family members or friends who want to help a depressed individual
• clinical providers that would like to use the manual as an adjunct to their treatment

This book is meant to provide accurate information about depression. It is not a psychological or medical treatment, and is not a replacement for treatment where this is needed. If expert assistance or treatment is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Funding for this book was provided through grants from the Ministry of Health, and BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, province of British Columbia, Canada.

Note: This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological or other professional services. If expert assistance or treatment is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.