Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression: Self-help Strategies for Happiness, Inner Strength and Well-being

by Miriam Akhtar, Phil Hammond (Foreword)

The stresses of modern life have led to an unprecedented rise in depression. But there is new hope, as psychologist Miriam Akhtar explains in this reassuring self-help manual extolling the benefits of Positive Psychology. Drawing upon inspiring real-life case studies, Akhtar shows how Positive Psychology can teach us how to savor positive events, express gratitude for everyday experiences we may take for granted, develop optimism, and cultivate resilience in the face of difficulties.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction

244 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2012

Reviews

[Barbara Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this eBook through BookBub.
And if you are looking for an easy to read, insightful book to help counteract depression, this book has lots to offer.
It’s all about positive psychology and positive psychotherapy (PPT) which emerged as a new branch of science in the late 1990s. It focuses on what keeps us mentally healthy and happy, and ways of dealing with the challenges of depression.
This book shares many practices that increase our well-being, and ways to cope positively with adversity.
For life is filled with joy and sadness, both can and do exist. Yin and yang. And there can be a positive in the negative and a negative in the positive.
There is also the problem that arises when we come to believe that we should always be happy. And, feeling this pressure to always be happy is associated with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms.
This book also confirms what I believe: that for long-term well-being we are better off facing up to the dark side of human existence rather than denying it.
Depression is the leading cause of ill health. One in two adults in the developed world will experience an episode of depression in their life time. The average age for the first onset is in the early teen years, as it was for me, at age of fifteen, my first experience with depression.
Gratitude, comes from the age-old wisdom of counting your blessings.
Rather than concentrating on your weaknesses, focus on harnessing your strengths so you can use them as a toolkit to work toward improving what is good in your life. This was something I was taught to do when I was first diagnosed with chronic pain. As I had to let go of a fixed mindset and develop a growth mindset, where failure is viewed as feedback and a lesson to take forward for the next time around. I had to learn how to let go of the old me and discover what the new me would be like and to discover that much of my future happiness is under my control. Because around 40% of our happiness is under our direct voluntary control and can be increased by the activities we engage in and our outlook on life.
Flow is a form of engagement. A state of absorption where you’re so immerses in an enjoyable activity that you may lose track of time, where you feel completely at one with what you’re doing in the moment. It is something I discovered as a child, when colouring and drawing.
And we often think that money will make us happy, but once there is enough money to cover the necessities of life, money ceases to have much impact on happiness.
What does have an impact is our relationships. Love and connections are major sources of happiness. And joy leads to an urge to play, to push the limits and be creative.
So, put together a list of things you enjoy doing and then commit to doing some of them on a regular basis. It can be five minutes a day, a half hour. Start small.
Gratitude is appreciation of what we have. It stimulates the production of feel-good neurotransmitters, of dopamine and serotonin. Also beneficial is to savour the moment, and to slow down. Practice some form of meditation (walking can be a form of mediation) and practice mindfulness.
Tune into your automatic thoughts to change the way you think. Find the positives to be gained from your negative experience.
Resilience is about taking control of the parts that you can change.
And it’s not so much about what happens to us as it’s about the way we think about it. It’s our interpretation of the events, our beliefs.
So, if you are looking for a book that helps in all of this. That can help better your life. This is a great book to help improve your well-being.

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Após 3 anos a estudar Psicologia Positiva, penso que este livro é dos melhores que já li, no que toca a resumir a sua missão, a teoria e exercícios possíveis. Só não acho o título muito honesto, pois o objetivo do livro (e da PP) não passa (só) por ultrapassar a depressão. No entanto, entendo que seja uma questão de "posicionamento" em relação a outros títulos de PP (como os que mencionam o "florescimento").

[Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like most work in positive psychology, feels entirely too light and simple. It gave off the vibe of “just be happy!” It was cheesy, but it did have some good exercises that I think were worth trying, and some I have even stuck to. Despite how ridiculous the book felt, I am grateful for the things it has taught me.

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positive psychology focuses on the science of strengths, as opposed to the science of deficits, which characterises previous modes of therapy. This book weaves together common sense, ancient spiritual wisdom and modern scientific research to make a case for optimism and the pursuit of things that draw on our passion and talents.

I came across this book thanks to a tweet by the author on Twitter, while I was doing a search using the term "positive psychology". I had not heard of the author, but after visiting the Amazon book page and reading through the editorial reviews, it became clear to me that this was a woman who knew her stuff. Miriam Akhtar was one of the first graduates from Martin Seligman's Masters programme on positive psychology, and she works both as a life coach and a university lecturer in the subject. The glowing reviews immediately made me want to read the book, especially as it was relatively new and had not been extensively reviewed by customers to date.

I found the book both accessible and inspiring. Miriam Akhtar uses her own experience with depression to vouch for the techniques of positive psychology. In addition, she supplies research data to support its recommendations. We learn that savouring everyday pleasures and luxuries fosters appreciation of what we have; that surrounding ourselves with positive people bolsters our resilience against negativity; that physical health and wellbeing has a direct influence on our mood and energy level; and that real happiness comes when we are fully engaged with an activity and feel that our lives have meaning and purpose — to name just some of the gems she shares.

I have to admit that, after the initial exhilaration of finding a book that exactly matched my convictions about happiness, I did become slightly fatigued with the repetition of what were, to me, fairly well-accepted notions. Perhaps my background as a Christian who learnt early on to give thanks and learn from adversity made it hard to get excited about all the suggestions contained here. Even so, I read the book from cover to cover because it is a well-put-together collection of strategies for improving one's experience of life, and because the research data lent a new angle to familiar advice. As a whole, the book comprises a good reference for counsellors and therapists, with useful exercises for exploring personal strengths and working out a path for future growth.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read on positive psychology and I found it a brilliant source on the topic written in a friendly and accessible manner. Upon first starting this book I had my doubts on 'how good could this possibly be?' but there was actually a whole lot more to it than immediately obvious.

Chapters:
1. The Positive Approach to Depression
2. The Positive Psychology Story of Happiness
3. Positive Emotions: The Upward Spiral to Well-being
4. Savouring the Moment
5. The Attitude of Gratitude
6. Meditation: The Mindful Approach
7. Learning Optimism: Psychological Self-defence
8. Resilience: The Road to Recovery
9. Positive Connections: Other People Matter
10. Vitality: Mind, Body and Spirit
11. From Strength to Strength: You at Your Best
12. Positive Directions: Moving Forward

You can tell a rough idea of what's in the book by looking at the chapter titles. My personal favourite chapters were the latter ones, especially those on resilience, positive connections and strengths. There are a multitude of exercises to complete and questions to ask yourself, which I found incredibly helpful and will continue to use into the future. There are so many parts of this book that I will take with me, though the one that stands out the most is the 'resilience wheel', an idea that many different 'spokes' (parts of your life) contribute to your resilience and well-being and so the more parts of your life you build up the stronger your 'wheel' will become. This is definitely one to recommend.

[Sarah-Maude · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ 3e lecture de ce livre, pour me rappeler les bienfaits de la psychologie positive!

[Emeldah Suwandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, but not really a theoretical satisfying.

Sebenarnya mau kasih 3.5, tapi ga bisa 😁
Baca di perpus, bahasanya ringan, mudah dipahami. Buku gini cocoknya buat preventif, gimana belajar paham kebiasaan2 yang bagus supaya ga depresi.. bahasanya awam, terkesan sedikit "menggampangkan", ya mgkn Krn bahasanya awam tapi ga bs dibikin kompleks juga. Pdhl pemahaman ttg apa yg terjadi sama seseorang itu adl salah satu langkah yg penting dlm proses menuju pulih.

[Rev. Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and Encouraging

This book is very practical, helpful and encouraging. The practice of positive psychology which the author addresses so capably can mitigate depressive leaning personality types. This book will improve your life if you apply its suggestions!

[Maryem Abidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lecture intéressante avec beaucoup de propositions de nouvelles lectures. J’ai appris pas mal de stratégies et d’astuces et puis surtout ça m’a donné un nouveau souffle enfin j’espère !!!

[Bina Artiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives many ideas on more positive, upbeat thinking. I was introduced to the word Resilience. Toughness.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a combination of things from many different fields with a focus on overcoming depression. It could, however, be a primer on happiness for those who can't seem to find it on a regular basis. Either way psychology meets spirituality here with many old and not-so-old tips and tricks on cultivating a better space in one's mind in which to live and prosper. The field of psychology, with its old and tired disease model would benefit from moving in this direction for everyone seeking better mental health and more happiness, not just people who suffer from depression.

[Michael Eggleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Highly reccomended! I took way too long reading this. I shoud have read it within a month or so, but dragged it out over a year & a quarter, but well worth it. This has been one of the best books i have read. I just LOVE Positive Psychology, & i think this book is a great introduction to it for many. It is in depth yet easy to digest. It has some excellent practical tips for everyday life that both i can use for myself & in helping other people.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a psychotherapist I consider this book more useful when it focuses on positive psychology than when it search to find a meaning and a way to overcome a present depression. But it's just my POW.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DUNCAN BAIRD PUBLISHERS FOR THE PREVIEW

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didnt add anything new, just uses the alternative methods of trying to reduce depression. As someone with severe chronic depression, it wasnt very useful. Probably better marketed for anyone who wants to be happier rather than for those with depression.