Depresija

Based on his experiences with patients, such as Ruth, who suffered from chronic depression for years despite a stable life, Hauck shows how depression can be overcome permanently by changing irrational beliefs.

The book is divided into five chapters:

1. A New Approach to Depression: Hauck describes his shift from psychoanalysis to practical advice. Depression is cyclical: a person judges himself, then influences others, which makes the condition worse.

2. Self-blame: The main cause – harsh self-criticism that leads to feelings of worthlessness. Hauck distinguishes between a mistake (“I am guilty”) and self-harm (“I am worthless”). Reasons against self-blame: stupidity, ignorance or emotional disorders.

3. Emotional problems: Depression arises from thoughts (ABC model: A-fate, B-beliefs, C-consequences), not from events. Irrational ideas such as “I have to be perfect” or “bad people deserve to suffer” cause the disorders.

4. Self-pity: Another key cause, related to immaturity and manipulation. Two irrational thoughts: "Things must go my way" and "If not, it's a disaster." The difference: sadness is normal, tragedy is exaggerated. Advice: accept the injustices of life as normal, focus on the basics (food, shelter).

5. Compassion for others: Too much empathy can induce depression, e.g. a feeling of guilt for not suffering equally for the suffering of others (e.g. the fate of a car or social problems).

Hauck offers hope: depression is not a fate, but a changing state. The book is a practical guide to self-help and helping others, emphasizing that life is full of frustrations, but emotional disorders amplify them - rationality calms them.