I can see how this book would be super helpful for someone who hasn't sought help for depression before. There's a lot of info about how difficult it can be to ask for help, especially if you're someone who sees themselves as totally self-sufficient and not weak in any way. However, for someone who's been in treatment for awhile, there probably isn't anything earth-shatteringly new to learn about.

There is a lot I could relate to with the description of what 'perfectly hidden depression' and perfectionism are. And there were a few things that I think I can think about in a reframed way. But because I've been in therapy for so long and have been working on shying away from hiding my feelings, I don't think this will really change the course of my treatment. The inclusion of specific cases was the most helpful aspect - hearing people's stories and how they worked to overcome their depression made this a worthwhile read. This book could be useful for therapists to suggest to new clients who need to learn more about how hiding their depression can negatively impact their mental health.

Perfectly Hidden Depression was an insightful read that I would recommend as a starting point for anyone struggling with functioning anxiety or depression.
I'm glad I gave this book a read although i would say it's only a starting point and could use some development - or it's perfect for someone who won't read anything too heavy!

If there was a trigger warning I missed it (which is likely). I couldn't read this book because it started off by talking about the suicide of a teenager.

I regret letting this book go unread for far too long. It is fantastic. A much needed resource for those struggling with perfectionism and depression, and the professionals that help them. The journaling reflections will be priceless to them!

If you don’t struggle with perfectly hidden depression, this book can give you insight and compassion for someone you know that does. Depression doesn’t have the same characteristics in everyone. That woman you know that seems to do everything effortlessly may be barely keeping it together inside.

While I would say that this book may be geared towards mothers and/or career women, the information is invaluable to all.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications in exchange for my honest review.

In today's world of openly discussing mental health, it is still stigmatized. I found this book to be reaffirming of the myriad ways that I think, feel, and talk about depression with my friends or family. The author breaks down some classic stereotypes about what it is like to struggle with depression, as well as providing real life examples of how different situations can be treated in different ways to support an individual who is suffering. Overall, I found this book to be a motivational, inspiring, and relatively quick read that also encouraged me to shift my personal perspectives about how to handle depression in my own life.

I thought this was a good guide to understanding depression and how it manifests itself in ways that we aren't always aware to look out for.

Thank you to #NetGalley for sending me an electronic review copy of #PerfectlyHiddenDepression

This is one of the best mental health books I've ever read - engaging writing that flows well, relatable, scientifically accurate and well-cited, explanations composed in a way that's useful for those with a professional background and also for those without.

The content is very practical so this book would also make a useful reference to refer back to for challenges that come up in life, or to guide psychotherapy.

I recommend this book to pretty much everybody: mental health practitioners, students/interns in mental health, medical professionals, educators, parents, etc. Of course it's a great read for those diagnosed with depression/anxiety/bipolar/ocd, but it's also helpful for those with any other diagnosis, symptoms but no diagnosis, and people who know somebody with mental health difficulties.

Books, especially "self-help" type books don't generally make me cry. However, I found myself tearing up often while reading this book.. Majority of it smacked of truth in my life especially growing up in a household were doing was given more credence than being. If you're curious about the root to your perfectionism and what to do about it, I highly recommend this book.

The author was able to capture the feelings so many of us have. Perfectionism and depression are interchangeable for many of us and the author laid out methods to break this cycle. I found the advice on conquering the inner critical voice to be extremely helpful. I highly recommend this to anyone struggling with depression that has feelings of being imperfect.

I could really relate to the beginning of this book. It was like she was speaking directly about me. Towards the middle of the book, it slows down a lot and becomes more like a therapy session. I can see where this could help many people if they want to be helped. For me, it was an interesting look at a topic I wasn't aware of before.

This is a well written and researched book on the perfectionism that masks depression. It has conversational language and the style of a good therapist. This book should be read by everyone because you are either hiding your depression from those around you or you know someone who is. This book can help pick up on the signs of masked depression and get the person that needs it the help that they need.

It is very easy to follow and I highly recommend it.

This was a good starter guide that is aimed at people who aren’t aware that they actually have depression.

It includes criteria for diagnosis, support exercises & advice on how to tell the people in your life.

I thought it was interesting read though there was often a focus on people who have faced trauma or significant adversity rather than including people who have had no prior issues but are now having to fake being okay for fear of being seen as an attention seeker.

Overall 3.5 stars

This book was speaking to me directly. I had no idea I was battling with OCD which was contributing to my depression. This book will help you process what is happening in your life. For instance, I get depressed whenever I take classes. It helped me pin point that I was so busy trying to perfect all of my assignments to the point where I got nothing done. That alone was depressing in and of itself. This book help me discover my actions and how to work on improving these habits in order to light my stress levels. It’s working so far. So, this book is a must and I will add it to my arsenal of books.

(Also posted on my GR account!)

Perfectly Hidden Depression is perfect for those who doesn't know that they're depressed or can't/won't admit that they're one. I like that it contained step by step to identify and to tackle it without being too condescending. It gave more than 50 questions to ask ourselves, mostly on our beliefs. It'd be nice to do the questions/exercises with group. Overall, it was a good book, but a bit boring to me.

Despite the fact I am Cptsd and live with depression and anxiety, I am not the target market for this book. I gleaned a very few tips, but unfortunately found the tone jarring and at odds with what the message of the book could be.
Self-help books are either bad, ok or life-changing. This one is "ok".
I think a lot of it was to be- it felt like the author was harsh at points, and quite honestly, reminded me of the worst psych teams I worked with, so I could be simply reacting to that.
Blunt and honest is of course important with mental health, but I feel like the tone might have been softer to make the exercises more approachable.

Perfectly Hidden depression is a well written book, with amazing exercises that I would encourage for many if not most people that are really motivated to work on their depression. However, I found Margaret Rutherford's tone a bit harsh at times and it rather than the difficult exercises made me want to stop. Rutherford also, in my opinion, takes liberties about naming perfectly hidden depression without any true examples about how this hidden depression is not, in fact, diagnostically relevant depression. This book does know it's own boundaries and Rutherford does a good job of encouraging the reader to get IRL support when necessary. I believe that the exercises in this book may be very helpful for anyone wanting to make changes in their depression, if they can manage the book.

This book delves into what author Margaret Rutherford she "perfectly hidden depression", a syndrome that doesn't fit the official diagnostic criteria for depression, and so has flown under the radar, as have the people struggling with it. While some of the symptoms that charactize this condition came be helpful in moderation, those who struggle with PHD are so convinced they must present a "perfect" front to the world, that they don't acknowledge that they're struggling, often even to themselves.
While I don't have this myself, I could relate to a lot of the perfectionism the author writes of, and the journaling prompts and exercises would help anyone who struggles with perfectionism. I love how she frequently says things like, "This isn't something else you have to do perfectly." Rutherford is a reassuring guide on the journey to acceptance.

Perfectly Hidden Depresson takes readers who need guidance when trying to understand and figure out the process of understanding what they are going though. The book is broken up into sections and readers will be given home work to work though at the end of each section.
There are reference pages and guides to help readers find and connect with someone to better help them deal or process the depression.
Thank you to Netgalley for a advance copy of Margaret Rutherford Perfectly hidden Depression.

This was a solid and informative book. I especially enjoyed that author highlighted important parts of the book with real life examples and cases.

Lots of useful information. Well written, compassionate, concise, constructive. Usually self help books are too long and become boring, but this one isn't. I see myself in some of it, my daughter in most of it. I will keep this book handy as a reference. Thank you to netgalley for offering this book for review.