Overcoming Teenage Low Mood and Depression
A Five Areas Approach
📘 About This Book
Overcoming Teenage Low Mood and Depression: A Five Areas Approach uses the tried and tested Five AreasTM model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to equip and empower young people experiencing low mood or depression with the key life skills they need to overcome these conditions. The Five AreasTM model communicates life skills and key interventions in a clear, pragmatic and accessible style, by examining five important aspects of our lives: Life situation, relationships, resources and problems Altered thinking Altered feelings or moods Altered physical symptoms or sensations Altered behaviour or activity levels This new edition of the book from the award-winning Overcoming series, which has sold tens of thousands of copies, addresses all the common challenges faced by young people during times of low mood and depression. Developed in liaison with a team of experts working with young people, this workbook course provides a practical and effective method for helping readers make positive changes in an achievable way. Using inspiring stories and worksheets, Overcoming Teenage Low Mood and Depression will not only provide an invaluable resource for young people, but also their friends and families, counsellors and therapists, or anyone looking to offer support.
📖 Summary
Overcoming Teenage Low Mood and Depression by Nicky Dummett, published in 2018 as part of the award-winning Overcoming series, serves as an essential psychological guide designed to help adolescents navigate periods of low mood, sadness, and clinical depression. Spanning 269 pages, the book is structured around the widely recognized and clinically proven Five Areas model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This therapeutic approach provides young readers, along with their families and supporters, with practical life skills and pragmatic interventions to address mental health challenges in an accessible, empowering manner. The core premise of the book rests upon examining five interconnected aspects of a teenager's life, demonstrating how each area influences overall emotional well-being. The first area looks at life situations, relationships, resources, and practical problems that a young person might face day to day. The second area focuses on altered thinking, helping readers identify and manage negative thought patterns that can trap them in cycles of despair. The third area explores altered feelings or moods, giving teens the vocabulary and self-awareness to recognize the intense emotional shifts typical of depression. The fourth area addresses altered physical symptoms or sensations, acknowledging the very real bodily manifestations of stress, fatigue, and low mood. Finally, the fifth area examines altered behavior or activity levels, encouraging young people to gradually reintroduce positive, engaging actions into their daily routines. Throughout the 269 pages, Dummett speaks directly to the reader, validating their experiences while offering structured tools to tackle the common challenges of adolescence. By breaking down overwhelming emotional states into manageable, distinct components, the book removes much of the mystery and fear surrounding mental health issues. Teens are encouraged to take an active role in their own recovery, utilizing evidence-based CBT techniques to regain a sense of control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Whether used independently by a teenager seeking self-help or as a companion resource alongside professional guidance, this updated edition continues the proud tradition of the Overcoming series by providing clear, compassionate, and actionable psychological support for a generation that increasingly needs accessible mental health resources.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Utilizes a tried and tested Cognitive Behavioural Therapy model.
Presents concepts in a clear, pragmatic, and accessible style.
Empowers young people with actionable life skills for self-help.
Part of an established and award-winning publishing series.
⚠️ Cons
May require additional professional support for severe clinical depression.
Demands active effort and engagement from the teenage reader to see results.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of the book? +
The book was written by Nicky Dummett.
What therapeutic approach does the book use? +
It uses the Five Areas model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
When was this edition published? +
This edition of the book was published in 2018.
How many pages long is the book? +
The book spans 269 pages.
What series is this book a part of? +
It is part of the award-winning Overcoming series.







