50 Things To Do Before Seeing a Psychiatrist: And How To Actually Do Them

You know, sometimes the exact right thing comes into your life at exactly the right time and this book is just one of those things. I can't imagine anyone's life *not* being improved by taking just some of the steps suggested in this book. The author's openness about his own life and his own struggles is very comforting and encouraging...he's been there and he's not afraid to admit his life isn't impossibly perfect, so he doesn't come across as preachy or self-righteous. He's with you, he is you and he genuinely wants to help. It's also impressive that this book isn't so clinical that it's just plain boring. He shares enough of himself to make for compelling reading, which is rare in a book of this kind...reading it doesn't feel like a chore. What I love is that this book does something few other self-help books do: it gives you concrete, doable steps YOU can take every day, on your own. All roads in this book do NOT lead straight to therapy and medication. The whole goal is to explore other options FIRST. Sometimes you read a book and you think "yeah, that's totally me, but now what do I do about it?" Joe Baldizzone fills in those blanks with actions that may seem deceptively simple at first glance, but prove to be very powerful in practice. I've actually had extraordinarily bad experiences with therapists over the years and I'm really not too keen on trying therapy again, so this book is amazing for me. I can go at my own pace and not drag myself through the often useless, sometimes painful and occasionally damaging process of in-person therapy. This book is so useful, I've already picked up 4 copies for friends and family. (While writing this review, I just thought of a couple more people I'd like to share it with, so I'll probably order a few more copies!) I can't recommend it enough. Thank you so much for writing this book, Joe!

This book was bought in 2020 during the COVID worst times but to me it’s even worse now in 2026. Joe I hope you are out there and know how helpful your advice is and was. God Bless!

Very practical advice, written in a clear, easy to understand voice.

Book is well-written and written by someone who has been through the situations the book is talking about. I'm struggling with some depression that's lasting longer than usual and I don't think it was an accident that this book came into my life. I don't want to go back on meds so I'm happily willing to give the suggestions and guidelines in this book a chance to work!

I thought the advice in this book good but, I think, not anything must people wouldn’t already know. The author did come with his experiences and lessons learned , which he shares and has good advice, but don’t expect much earth shattering advice.

This is NOT your average "self help" book. This is NOT a daunting daily to-do list of 50 things nobody could possibly pull off. This is different. Honestly, I realize it's geared toward those suffering from depression. But it could apply to anyone. First, the author offers up his experiences that led him to write it to begin with. He lays it all out there. He's been places and seen things. In that, he assures you that you are not alone in feeling sad, or overwhelmed, or addicted, or just....down....physically or emotionally. Then he goes into 50 suggestions of things you can do that could possibly make you just "feel better". Physically, mentally and emotionally feel...better. (He doesn't claim to "cure" anything.) Each section is short. It starts with his experience, then his research, his results, and then the best part. He quickly and simply tells you how YOU can do this. He gives you resources to do your own research if you so choose. These are not things you have to do in order every day. Far from it. He doesn't even claim everyone will see results from every suggestion. This is simply a list of things he has discovered that worked for him and others. Try a few. If they work, try a few others. Eventually you will be able to change some things in your life that will help you be healthier in every way....without medications or traveling to Nepal to meet with a Shaman on a mountaintop. Best part is it's an entertaining read. It's emotional, intellectual (even if written in plain English) and even funny in places. The one quote that jumped out at me early in the book.... "To be human is to feel. Our lives are fullest when we feel everything - the pain, the sorrow, the joy, the anger, the grief, the excitement, the ecstasy. They're all colors on the palette of life and to deny them is to start coloring the entire world grey." And that's where he comes from. As you try his suggestions, feel how they affect you. Feel how they help. Feel the adjustment (for better or worse). Feel the improvement. Then try a few more. You won't fully adopt every page of the book. But you will change a few things what will help you feel better. I went in a skeptic. Then I tried a few things. They worked. They have now become habits. I. Feel. Better. Enough said.

I strongly recommend this book. A quote from page 136: "When you delay doing things that you know you should, want or need to, those things remain in your subconscious and have a lingering, gnawing effect. They steal little bits of your joy by prancing around in the background of everything else you think and do. They sap your energy quietly. You know they're there, you just pretend they aren't and find methods of covering them up. You might do other chores to feel that you're at least doing something productive, or you might even add to the gnawing by doing destructive or time wasting things...." You probably know all of that already but it's good to be reminded... and to be offered consolidated steps to get on the right track; this book does just that. So heed that quote and get the book then start digging in! Books have been saying such things for years but this book, as the title says, gives you 50 things and how to actually do them. Like any other book of this nature, you can't just read it and be done. However, after a quick read through (it reads fast) you can go back and easily pick out the tools you want to start working with. Of course, you will have to spend some time going through the things and writing them down separately and detailing your strategy/schedule for easy reference but you owe it to yourself to spend some time to do that and, again, any book would require that but this book lays things out as simply. I have haphazardly and coincidentally done some of the things in his book over my life and they have certainly helped me to achieve things that I certainly wouldn't have achieved without; I'm going to assume that adding his suggestions and applying them in a thought-out/consistent manner will take me to the next level- it certainly has done so for him. There IS hope. There is PROMISE. Follow the book. Baby steps. As to the author and his credibility and the efficacy of his methods/suggestions: It is remarkable to see who Joe has become compared to the picture of who he was and the mental challenges that all but kept him shut-in the house or intoxicated during his early 20's so the things he has done, and has put down on paper for us, clearly worked.

This is a great read. Mr. Baldizzone delivers a tightly woven, concise and honest look at his own personal demons and how he came to recognize those demons for what they truly were. He then invites us along on a journey of self-awareness and discovery along the path he forged to wellness of mind, body, and spirit. This book is jam packed with great ideas to aid those struggling with addiction or emotional disorders without being preachy or overly clinical in its approach. I was especially impressed with the wealth of information on how to heal your body in order to heal your mind and spirit, and the emphasis Joe places on the importance of spirituality to a happy healthy life. Having been there done that I can spot a pretender a mile away and Mr. Baldizzone is the real deal. This is a great guide to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for those struggling with issues related to addiction, emotional disorders, or foundering in search of a spiritual center on which to build for a better brighter future. It is also an excellent reference for those looking for insight into how they might help a friend or loved one struggling with personal problems. Highly recommended. Thanks Joe, you knocked it out of the park on this one.

Was hoping for some ideas for a friend. Advice was silly & unhelpful. Returned it.

I highly recommend reading this book before seeing a psychiatrist. Joe knows first-hand what it's like to live with suicidal depression and how to recover from debilitating panic, as well as addiction. This book offers many simple strategies to help you get started on your own path to recovery. Try these simple strategies first. Medications and psychiatrists might not be necessary for your survival.

Many of these tips are obvious or tips I had read before, but it helped to be reminded of them. Some of them I had never heard before. It's also really nice that the author also explains how to actually put these tips into practice.

Helpful book