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janet paterson wrote several messages about depression recently. I am very pleased that she has put this information so well - and recommends David Burns handbook of cognitive therapy - in her messages. Reading his book and using work-sheets of the sort he provides remains the recommendation that I make to all who wish to help themselves. I believe that introspecting our feelings and beliefs to seek to undistort our beliefs is most important to change/growth toward fully adult acceptance of seeking/learning to live well. The chemicals imbalances of PD can be rectified with chemicals and/or attitude adjustment. Our attitude toward our self is formed from our genetic base, childhood environment, and psychic history of events and responses to events. A healthy self-esteem makes acceptance of bad things that happen to us (depressing events) less difficult. Some may be able to handle PD without drug or supportive assistance. Others may need drugs, counseling, and family and friends and group support. thanks for your well-chosen words, janet! David Burns noted that a patient can be helped by 'reflecting' the body language and attention to the patient that he is happy and privileged to be with the patient. This seems to acknowledge that "attitudes are contagious - have a good one" is well-founded advice. -- ron 1936, dz PD 1984 Ridgecrest, California Ronald F. Vetter <[log in to unmask]> http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter