Perfectly Hidden Depression

How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression

By: Margaret Robinson Rutherford PhD

Narrated by: Eleanor Caudill

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When your life looks perfect, but you're silently falling apart....

If you were raised to believe that painful emotions are a sign of weakness, or if being vulnerable has always made you feel unsafe, then you may have survived by creating a perfect-looking life - a life where you appear to be successful, engaged, and always there for others. The problem? You're filled with self-criticism and shame, and you can't allow yourself to express fear, anger, loss, or grief. You recognize something is wrong, but you're not sure what exactly - only that you feel trapped and alone. If this sounds like you, you may have perfectly hidden depression (PHD).

With this compassionate guide, you'll begin the process of understanding your perfectionism, identifying destructive beliefs, and connecting with emotions suppressed for far too long. You'll also find tangible tips for quieting that critical inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings. Most importantly, you'll learn that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. If you're ready to stop hiding and start healing, this groundbreaking book will guide you - every imperfect step of the way.

©2019 Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD and Jennifer Marshall (P)2020 New Harbinger Publications

Heartwarming

Both the writer and the narrator are excellent. It has been warming my soul listening to these two ladies, who, despite the serious work this journey requires, are able to plant bravery to the listener in a very gentle manner. I am glad I found this audiobook, thanks to one of my mistakes, showing me in itself, what perfection lies in imperfection ;).

Very meaningful for a specific audience

The author has identified and clearly communicates about a specific sort of mental malady, where perfectionism and dismissing your own self - needs, feelings - becomes a coping strategy to deal with life when more healthy ones have been insufficient or not available. I was one to suffer from this, and rhe descriptions are so very familiar. I read a lot of self-help around the subject and this book is by far the most accurate. I heartily recommend.

My only concern is that I am not at all sure if I had recognized myself or had been able to benefit from the book before my therapy. The thought patterns were so automatic and so out of sight for myself. But this book certainly would have made me think, and possibly nudge me to get the help I needed, if I had encountered it before the events that forced me to do it.

Comprehensive & Well Written

Are you hard on yourself, with a driven, and determined personality, but you simultaneously struggle by being sad, anxious, and worried? This informative guide could help to lead you towards a much happier life. Find out if you have a hidden perfectionist trait that is causing you unhappiness. Learn solutions to a more satisfactory, happier and fulfilling life. I gained self-insights, and highly recommend this book.

informative

This book provided me with a lot of information that helped, and answered many question that I had regarding depression.

Amazing

What fulfillment and healing this has brought me! I’ve been listening to your podcasts for years breaking the cycle of abuse and seeing my worth thank you from the depth of my soul Dr. Rutherford!

Very helpful

The journey of healing is long but this book defiantly showed me where the problem started in my life and exposed the roots of the destructive behavior that looked very normal to me

This book can save lives

I like how this book was so clear and easy to understand. There are some very helpful activities in here that will help build insight whether you are a clinician or an individual who thinks you’re struggling with perfectly hidden depression. This book differentiates perfectly hidden depression from all other disorders. It’s a great book for anyone to read.

Perfect for me

I struggled at first and laid this book aside. Picked it up about a year later, just finished it and realize it is exactly what I need. I am going to dig in and do the work in the reflections, as I wanted to read it through first.
Thank you Dr. Margaret for a well written book and for being open about your struggles with PHD. I do feel better just reading this book. I look forward to more healing with the work I will do in journaling my reflections.
I encourage anyone to read this book that even suspects they might be a perfectionist.

To the point

This book may have literally saved my sanity. It was a timely listen at a point I needed a name for what I’d been feeling for years.

Life Changing

This book is life changing. It asks and answers so many questions that I didn’t know I even had. It makes me think deep, re-evaluate and give myself grace along with looking at narratives of my life with a fresh look.
I highly recommend this book.