Book SummaryFeeling Good, by David D. Burns

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Feeling Good

In Feeling Good, David D. Burns explains that cognitive therapy is a method for treating depression that focuses on changing your thoughts. He argues that this approach is effective, which is promising for those who would rather not depend on medication to lift their mood. Instead, they can learn what their problems are and take action to manage them.

Burns is a psychiatrist and adjunct professor emeritus in the...

Feeling Good Summary The Theoretical Foundations of Cognitive Therapy

Burns explains that cognitive therapy operates on the principle that your thoughts create your moods. These encompass your perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and interpretations. During depression, negativity takes over your thoughts, leading you to experience hopelessness. You view yourself and the world in a negative light, and you believe things match your pessimistic view. You may even believe that things have forever been and will always be negative.

However, Burns argues that these pessimistic ideas are usually distorted. They appear valid, but they’re irrational or incorrect. This distorted thinking significantly contributes to your suffering and often stems from mental slippage, not a true view of the world. You can manage your moods more effectively by learning to identify and get rid of your upsetting, distorted thoughts. As you start to view things more objectively, you'll notice a better mood.

How Your Thoughts Create Your Moods

In How Emotions Are Made, Lisa Feldman Barrett explains how your thoughts create your moods. She argues that your brain is a prediction machine that constructs your...

Feeling Good Summary Practical Techniques and Tools for Changing Thinking

Burns claims that methods of cognitive therapy can reduce depression symptoms quickly. He describes cognitive therapy as a quick method for changing your mood that you can independently learn to use. He argues that these methods can lessen depression symptoms significantly faster than standard therapy or medication. In less severe instances, it's common to see relief from symptoms in just twelve weeks.

(Shortform note: Burns’s claim that methods of cognitive therapy reduce depression symptoms faster than standard therapy or medication may be inaccurate. In The Great Psychotherapy Debate, Bruce E. Wampold and Zac E. Imel argue that all forms of therapy are equally effective. They explain that all forms of therapy reduce depression symptoms at the same rate over the first few months of treatment. Further, they argue that therapy is just as effective as medication.)

In the following sections, we’ll explore three techniques for identifying and questioning your negative thoughts.

Techniques for Identifying and Addressing Thoughts

Burns suggests employing...

Shortform Exercise: Challenging Cognitive Distortions

This exercise focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions that affect your mood, based on the principles of cognitive therapy.

Think about a recent time when you felt hopeless. What negative thoughts were present during this experience?