Download PDF The Happiness Trap How to Stop Struggling and Start Living A Guide to ACT Russ Harris Steven C Hayes PhD 8580001061962 Books

Product details Paperback 240 pages Publisher Trumpeter; 1 edition (June 3, 2008) Language English ISBN-10 1590305841

The Happiness Trap How to Stop Struggling and Start Living A Guide to ACT Russ Harris Steven C Hayes PhD 8580001061962 Books Reviews

• I found this book to be just OK. I appreciate the concepts and principles they are teaching - this could be very valuable if you’re struggling to get control of any emotions - from psychosis to occasional worry. However, I found that it didn’t really address the root cause of those issues, and it’s still necessary to “talk them out” with friends/family before they can be dealt with in this manner. I also didn’t really like the author’s assertion a few places in the book that we are always in control of our emotions no matter what and that freezing is a choice. I have frozen, and known other people who have as well, when confronted with sudden situations such as bullying, violent crimes, animal attacks, etc. It can be a natural response to shock and fear and does not automatically indicate weak character or lack of control. Although I understood where the author was going with it, this language and theory could make a person who is already blaming themselves for an event or their reaction to it struggle even further as a result of the lack of nuance in the author’s words.
• I'm a licensed mental health counselor. This book is my go-to recommendation to clients (and family, friends, etc). I encourage the to go on Russ Harris' website (happiness trap.com) and read the introduction and first chapter which are posted there for free. Most of the time, clients are 'hooked' (you'll come to appreciate that term) and go on to read the book. This book will change your life. Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) has changed mine (both personally and professionally).
  
  And for my fellow therapists (and really any other human services/health professionals), this book is a great introduction to ACT. Dr. Harris' book, ACT Made Simple, is how I learned ACT (and highly recommended for professionals who wish to learn). The Happiness Trap is, essentially, ACT Made Simple made simple.
  
  Enjoy, I hope this book brings to you as much of a positive change in your life as it did me.
• Growing up, I was taught that you can either let out all your emotion (e.g. anger) or keep it all in, and that the latter would eventually cause some sort of explosion. On my own I learned that there's also "letting go", but this book gave me another perspective altogether.
  
  I have learned several techniques that - as a high school teacher - have been exceptionally important in dealing with the incessant emotional demands (e.g. frustration, anger, excitement, etc.) of dealing with so many immature personalities.
  
  Highly recommended.
• I'll be honest, when I first ordered the illustrated version I thought it would include a good deal of text along with comics or images to break up the concepts. When I received it, and took a look and realized that it is ALL illustrated, I almost returned it. Then, I gave it a shot and started reading it. I LOVE this book! It is quirky and a bit charming, the language is VERY understandable and not so psycho-babble -ish. I recommend it for anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, perfectionism, or who believes CBT is the only way to make changes in life. Ps. I'm a therapist who will use excerpts of this book with my clients as well!
• This was my first introduction to mindfulness. The writer is a great teacher and has an easy-to-read style. I enjoyed it very much. It was a launching pad for me to deeper mindfulness practices. I doubt I could have gotten into mindfulness without this introduction.
  
  Update seems to be mixing together the reviews for the illustrated version and the original version. They are totally different books. Be sure you are buying the one you want.
• I was recommended this book by a therapist and I was skeptical at first. I've been given self-help books over the years by a few friends and they've all ended up in a drawer somewhere collecting dust. I'm still only about three-fourths through the book and it has already helped me immensely.
  This book is unlike any other "self-help" book I've ever opened up. From the beginning, it reads very modestly and very logically. This book doesn't claim to turn your life around (not without your own help at least.) It simply gives you a new perspective on dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and the overall struggles we deal with and let consume our lives on a daily basis, along with the tools to help create the life you want. I recommend this book to everyone. Even if you only take a few things from it, it's worth the $12. I have a list of people I want to loan it to when I'm completely done with it. Buy the book, take the exercises seriously and take your time and listen and give a chance to what the book tells you to do. It's a slow read, as it's meant to be by the author (and for very good reasons.)
• I'm a psychologist and this is the number one book I recommend to people I work with. It helps us get onto the same page with learning skills and techniques to address a myriad of mental health conditions. All of Russ Harris' books are amazing and very approachable for both professionals and the lay person. Highly recommended.
• Simple, concise, quick, easy-to-digest explanation of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). An out-patient hospital ACT program unequivocally saved my life during a time of severe postpartum anxiety/depression. After the program I wanted to find a book that summed up what I learned in the program - this is definitely that book. I can now say that I'm grateful for the PPD experience because, without it, I would not have learned the ACT tools which have made my life so much better than ever before. The little things don't bother me the way they used to (even before PPD). I give this book out all the time to so many people, whether going through a difficult period or not, as the tools in this book are immensely helpful for life in general - not just for emotional crises. Give this book the short time needed to read it. I finished it in 2 hours. It's so powerful that I make sure to read through it again every few months. It's fantastic. You will not regret reading this. Be well.