Reviews (6)

I no longer feel guilty for having anxiety
I suffer from depression and anxiety. Like most Christians, I kept this problem to myself and acted as if everything was OK. That was until I crashed and became so full of anxiety and fear that I could no longer function in normal daily life. I could not sleep, could barely eat and could no longer take care of my kids or go to work. Thank God that my pastor counselled me and told me that it was OK to take medication. We went through some intense counseling to get at the root of my fear. It turns out that I have a lot of abandonment issues from childhood that I had never dealt with. However, I could not have gone through that painful self-analysis and healing of past hurts if I had not been on medication. Plus, I needed to get back to work and get my kids back. Even on medication, I am still dealing with daily anxiety. When I picked up Dr. Hart's book, I could hardly put it down. He is right when he says that Christians suffer needlessly from anxiety disorders because "worry" is viewed as a sin. However, he goes through scripture and shows how the bible is talking about normal worry and "what if's". When the bible was written, people didn't suffer from anxiety disorders. Life was about the pace of a camel and today people are living at the speed of a jet plane. Anxiety disorders are a recent phenomenom that has resulted from the great stress that has been placed on our lives. We need to get rid of a lot of this stress and this book tells you how. Dr. Hart believes that counseling and medication work together. A person can't make difficult life changes if they're always on the verge of a panic attack and can barely function. Medication is a temporary solution to get your "happy hormones" back in balance while you make changes in your life. I no longer feel guilty for taking Xanax. He even has a whole chapter on how to get off Xanax without going through major anxiety. God Bless Dr. Hart! I finally have hope that I can be healed of this anxiety.

THANKS FOR THE WARNINGS!
This "review" is to thank the others who've read and reviewed the book.If "Arch" recommends medications for anxiety, then his title has no credibility.Most medications for anxiety are highly addictive, and the one or two that aren't, don't really work very well.But most importantly, these pills AREN'T CURES for anxiety.They're TREATMENTS.When you stop the pills the anxiety comes right back.And as for the Christian perspective -- don't get me started.All I can say is thanks for the warnings!

Too many contradictions and absolutes:
I bought this book based on the back cover which reads: "...Then he offers practical proven steps you can take to change your lifestyle, without relying on medication and psychotherapy."I found as I was reading the book, however, that Dr. Hart is a huge proponent of the use of medications.There are also many absolutes in the book.He claims that if you don't do certain things or let certain things go too long, you may never get rid of anxiety or worry.This book is definitely not for everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety    2. Christianity    3. Eastern - General    4. Emotions    5. Mood Disorders    6. Peace of mind    7. Psychology    8. Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-Help / Mood Disorders   

Reviews (18)

The Tragedy of Exuberance.
_Exuberance:The Passion for Life_ by psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison is a fairly interesting account of individuals who have exhibited a distinctive zest for living as revealed in their activities and work.Those who are prone to excessive enthusiasm, gregariousness, and creative insight are discussed by the author, who attempts to show what it is that uniquely determines this trait.While much of the writing in this book is beautiful, it must be pointed out that exuberance is not without its pitfalls.At times enthusiasm may overcome reason leading to unusual, eccentric, or even dangerous behavior, perhaps best illustratedin literature by the case of Toad from the book _The Wind in the Willows_ by Kenneth Grahame.And, often behind the personalities of exuberant individuals there lurks a darker side of irritability, depression, and despondency.Cases of collective exuberance include stock market booms and the battle lust exhibited by some soldiers during combat.However, as anyone quickly realizes both of these have their downside and can be highly destructive.In addition, exuberance often makes it difficult to interact with others.As the author explains, exuberance tends to be a trait that an individual either has or they don't.Those who lack this trait may become jealous of or annoyed with those who possess it in abundance.In the life of great scientists, the case of the physicist Richard Feynman provides an illustration of this.While he exhibited great exuberance in his teaching style, he often left students who could not keep up or who possessed a more placid personality completely alienated.Feynman himself seems to have understood this at times, and the author quotes one of his remarks to the effect that perhaps his style served only the purpose of amusing himself.
Far from exuberant
Having read the five-star reviews I expected a joyful book.Unfortunately I got well and truly bogged down - not because of its intellectual weight (I've read far more erudite books than this) but because it seemed to analyse a human quality to death. What next: a mathematical formula for love - with warnings on overdose?
An Interesting, Anecdotal Exploration of Exuberance
As a scientific work, this book is well-written and presented in an interesting fashion.It consists mostly of brief anecdotes about people who were unusually exuberant, including Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and Richard Feynman.There isn't a great deal of technical or clinical data, just well-written observations. The author's exploration of the dark side of exuberance was brief, but intriguing.If you are looking for a book about how to bring exuberance to your daily life, this isn't it.The author takes the position that exuberance isn't something that can be developed, but rather occurs naturally. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Enthusiasm    3. Joy    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Psychology    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Emotions   

Reviews (23)

Why don't we teach this in our schools?
This book has been in my library for years.I have given copies for gifts many times, I wish I knew how many.The information in this book is so very important for everyone and written in such a way that it can be easily read and understood by everyone. Should be required reading in every high school and university.
Love 101: The class EVERYONE should take
Everyone should read,no make that study Leo's books. This book opened my eyes and softened my heart. Anyone who reads it with an open mind will find themselves transformed. I am someone who grew up VERY ANGRY. My anger caused me problems upon problems and was a contributing factor in the breakup of my first marriage. When I hit rock bottom and knew things had to change, it was then that I came across a worn, slightly abuse copy of a book at a second hand store. The Title on it was simply "LOVE". Don't misunderstand me, I am far from free from my anger. Yet, those who know me will tell you how much I have changed. I feel Leo books, DVD's (I have several), and tapes have been a major factor in that change. I recommend ALL items by Leo Buscaglia.
Give Dr. Leo the respect he deserves!
I normally just dismiss negative comments from those individuals who take it on as their personal mission in life to proclaim to the world their cynical outlook and proudly walk away feeling smarter than everyone else in the room. Not this time.
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Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Love    3. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help / Self-Esteem    6. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (7)

Great for People wanting an Introduction on EQ-i
This books is very easy to read, it goes through all the stages and criteria of being 'Emotionally Intelligent', while showing examples/stories on different situations and how one could handle it with greater EQ-i ability. Pleasantly Surprised By Contents
I was not sure what to expect when I started to read this book. The second author is a psychiatrist and an organizational consultant. The first author, Steven Stein is a psychologist, but also well known for heading up a very successful test publishing company.Was the book going to be an advertisement for his tests?Would his success as a businessperson enhance the credibility of the message? Rated #3 Best Business Book of The Year
I bought this book because it was rated the #3 best business book of the year in the Globe and Mail (Canada's National Newspaper), Wednesday, December 15. - even higher than "Who Moved My Cheese?".Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Emotions    6. Human Relations In Business    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Psychology    9. Skills    10. Advice on careers & achieving success    11. Business & Economics / Skills   

Reviews (19)

For many specific conditions, this book is the best!
I practice these techniques as well as writing about them, and this book lays out, in a very user-friendly way, exactly how to use Energy Psychology for specific conditions including depression, loneliness, phobias, weight loss, and traumatic memories. When I first heard about these methods, I was very skeptical. But now I'll stand up in front of a roomful of people, ask for a volunteer, and use them, confident that miracles of healing will occur on cue! If you're used to thinking of psychological healing occurring in a time frame of years or even decades, you may be very surprised to learn that many people shift in just a few minutes using the techniques in this book. I often recommend it to others, and once you've tried the techniques, you'll understand why!

Works for me!
Don't let any of the negetive reviews stop you from reading this book.It works for me!I have tried alot of things to help me with my depression and anxiety and this is the only thing that comes close to making me feel better! You can use it anywhere and anytime. I am so glad that I bought this book.I don't know how or why it works, but it does, I swear. It is unbeleivable.Thank you, thank you, thank you, to the authors of this book.It is a life saver...literally.

wonderful Self help
This was an awesome book and would recommend it to anyone. I use it everyday. I am so happy to know of this so that I can experience relief very quickly plus settle emotional issues of my own without the need for a therapist. Plus this has help with my children as well. I have seen amazing results and am very happy with the purchase of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupressure & Acupuncture    2. Alternative Therapies    3. Emotions    4. General    5. Psychology    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Self-Help    8. Coping with personal problems    9. Popular psychology   

Reviews (2)

Good overview of the field
The chapters in this book are written by some of the most influential emotion researchers of the last decennia. Different angles are presented throughout the sections. As such it is a good addition to psychology researchers who want to have an overview of the field.

Good resource
This volume is a nice collection of emotion topics including facial expression, emotional development and emotion in atypical populations.A bit technical at times, but a good new edition to add to your resources. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Psychology    3. Research & Methodology    4. Sociological aspects    5. handbooks    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Emotions   

Reviews (13)

Important book, along with...
Divorce is one of the most grueling experiences anyone can go through, and this book is a great guide for easing the challenges.The book is packed with information on the legal and emotional issues that are likely to arise -- and how to deal with them.The topics span the board, from making the initial decision, to preparing for trial, to how to talk with the kids about it all.
Very Informative, but deceptively biased
After reading many, many studies on the subject of divorce, support and custody, and also personally being a single father for 13 years with sole custody of 3 children and also being a non-custodial parent of one younger child I feel I can comment objectively on this book. Extensive Information
This book is filled with extensive information. With over 60% of the population getting divorced, this subject should no longer be taboo.
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Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Divorce    3. Divorce & Separation    4. Emotions    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    7. Family Law - General    8. Family/Marriage    9. Law and legislation    10. Popular works    11. Psychological aspects    12. Psychology    13. United States    14. Classical music (c 1750 to c 1830)    15. Family & Relationships / Divorce    16. Family law    17. Marriage & relationships    18. Performing Arts    19. Separation & divorce   

Reviews (27)

As Entertaining as it is Enlightening.
Dr. Helen Fisher's Why We Love is the rarest of books as it manages to simultaneously be both scientific and conversational in tone. All the citations, studies, and interpretations one would hope to find are present here along with personal anecdotes, and endless quotations from literary figures. Dr. Fisher is a physical anthropologist who should not be confused with those batty ideologues found on the other, lower order, end of her profession who deny the basis of biological differences existing between the sexes. The evidence that love is but a series of chemical reactions in the brain undertaken as a means to advance our reproductive goals is both robust and highly believable. I've studied different works on this topic, but was particularly impressed by the thoroughness of her explanations--particularly for why a man falls in love with a particular woman. Dr. Fisher, after detailing man's obsession with youth and beauty, outlined various additional factors impacting on the formation of love such as a desire on the part of man to rescue and aid women in distress. A woman's need for assistance and his accompanying need to feel valued are no minor components in the recipe which produces attachment. An additional area of value was the subsection describing why feelings of love are heightened when a couple do something novel together. This was quite intriguing as the argument is quite convincing. Indeed, it explains much about what we describe as romantic. As a narrator, Dr. Fisher is far from detached, but I mention this more as commendation than criticism because her biases are transparent and her enthusiasm is contagious. That she communicates so effectively with readers is yet another reason why finishing this text was effortless. There is considerably more oomph in these 220 pages than a glance at its index would suggest. My only criticism is that Dr. Fisher needed to attach an answer key to the "Being in Love" questionnaire included in the Appendix. Without some way to systematically quantify responses, the reader's efforts will not be very meaningful. Regardless, this is an outstanding book which is very educational and meant for popular consumption.

3 Chemicals, Mild But Imprecise.
This is a somewhat intruiging empirical study of the three chemicals that provide the evolutionary basis for love. Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin. The chapters on the differences between the sexes views and needs pertaining to intimacy sometimes hit the mark. Her observations were written in an engaging style devoid of technical jargon. However, the authors quoting of popular literary figures like Yeats and Dickens who wrote about Romantic love took away from her data since they were writing from a different and non-scientific perspective. Still, it is a worthy read.

Answer: Because we are crazy
Romantic love is emotional cocaine on the brain. Studies have shown it. It is recklessness, poor judgement, and a biological drive to have children which serves an evolutionary purpose. It is not love when it is romance. Simply ... temporary mania, psyhosis, and insanity. Romantic "love" is the most ungrounding thing to one's emotional well-being. The best lives are often ruined by love: destroyed relationships, poor quality of lifestyle, etc.
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Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Emotions    3. General    4. Psychology    5. Psychology Of Sexuality    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Works if you really want to change.
One of the finest, if not the finest book of its kind.People who are interested in this item need to understand that it requires actual effort, and the results are usually going to be correlated to the effort put in.

A very practical, helpful and effective workbook.
This workbook is a very effective, practical and useful tool to better understand and manage anger. As with all self-help workbooks, the reader must be serious about learning or fixing their own anger problem. I foundit very relieving and a source of peace to finally have a solution to theproblem of anger.I coupled it with my Christian beliefs and found iteffective. The author understands the problem and deals with it inon-nonsense fashion. But, the reader must WORK at the process. If you'reangery and don't know why or if you're angry and want to fix the problem,save the $110.00 per hour you'll pay a shrink and do this book first...theyare probably copying his outline anyway! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Emotions    3. Exercise    4. Health    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Success    8. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (1)

Good Book Anger Mgmt
Good for anyone who needs to understand and learn more about anger management. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Case studies    3. Emotions    4. General    5. Psychology    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Stress Management    9. Physiological & neuro-psychology    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (1)

Great program for teaching emotions
I have been using the Mind Reading software program for about 2 months with several students.This is a great way to teach students with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome recognition of emotions.The amazon description has this product listed as a book, but it is actually an interactive software program that features actors that act out various emotions (over 400! emotions).The program helps the student to focus on the movement of the faces as the actors act out an emotion as well as voice tone and messages to match the emotion.The program helps students learn about emotions without the stress of the human component.I have already started to see positive results with students starting to question the emotions of those around them and in their lives.Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Psychology    3. Special Education - Socially Handicapped   

Reviews (6)

Avoid the Pain!
Anger, fear, jealousy, despair. These are bad emotions, right? These are emotions to be avoided at all costs, right?
Learn how to listen to your soul
This book is phenomenal.Too many people in the Church do not think of themselves as WHOLE people.If you've ever wondered how your emotions fit into your faithfulness to the Lord, then this book is for you.This book will help you become more emotionally aware and emotionally alive.Dig deeper and you will find the answers about what is going on in your soul.

At last a biblical book about real worship!
This is on of those "beginning of the rest of your life" books.Before you read this book you have to ask yourselfRead more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Emotions    4. God    5. God (Christianity)    6. Psychology of Religion    7. Religion    8. Religion - Christian Life    9. Religious aspects   

Reviews (5)

Helps us lighten the load of life on a daily basis.
Educational and entertaining, this book relays convincing evidence as to the psychological and physiological benefits of humor. The author gives concrete and helpgful techniques and suggestions as to how we can begin to bring more joy and laughter into our lives. Lots of humorous anecdotes and examples bring the points home.I found this book informative and motivational.

A staple item for the humor lover's bookshelf
Since reading this book in 1994, I have used it as a reference for my life AND work. Using a warm and witty style of writing, Allen teaches us the physiological and emotional benefits of mirth.My favorite chapter title is "Strike While the Irony is Hot!"So clever!! I recommend this book to friends who are facing life challenges and to everyone who attends my workshops.On a more personal note, since embracing The Healing Power of Humor, I felt freer to add a little levity to my Aunt Alice's funeral.My family was amazingly grateful.Me too!

A real pick-me-up
Wonderful book, which truly elevated my spirits so much that people started complimenting me about my positive attitude.Good bedtime reading.Chapters are written so that you study one "lesson" per day. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adjustment (Psychology)    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Emotions    4. General    5. Laughter    6. Psychological aspects    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Wit and humor    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / General    12. therapy   

Reviews (1)

Good concept but...
Encouraging/building a sense of hope and agency is important for cases of depression. Unfortunately, the book has a noticeable slant toward political correctness and left-wing politics that seem to overemphasize the"mascot" groups and hot topics of the Left at the expense of the rest.Read more

Subjects:  1. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    2. Child Psychology    3. Developmental - Child    4. Emotions    5. Hope    6. Psychology    7. Reference    8. Physiological & neuro-psychology    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Testing & Measurement    11. Psychology-Developmental - Child    12. Psychology-Reference   

Reviews (5)

Fine
The book was as promised, and it arrived in the promised window of time.I'm satisfied.

Jonathan Cohen, Ph.D., Columbia University
This is an excellent book. It provides 'state of the art and science' information about past and emerging work in emotioanl intelligence and competencies. I highly recommend it.

If you are serious about learning the background to E.I.
The Handbook of Emotional Intelligence is a must read for anyone who is serious about emotional intelligence.Through this book, Bar-On and Parker have brought together a world-class collection of academics, psychologists and researchers.Before the Handbook was written, researchers and practitioners who wanted to get to the bottom of emotional intelligence needed to look up thousands of sources to even start their research.Bar-On and Parker have completed a sterling effort - the chapters include hundreds of research studies and the links are made between many different strands of research on intelligence and emotion and they are brought together in a 'tome' of useful information.This book is not a light piece of bedtime reading.It is a text book which should be on the shelf of anyone who wants to hear direct from the key researchers who have helped to create the field of Emotional Intelligence, so well popularised by Daniel Goleman in his book 'Emotional Intelligence'. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    2. Emotional intelligence    3. Emotional intelligence tests    4. Emotions    5. Intelligence Testing    6. Mental Health    7. Psychology    8. Child & developmental psychology    9. Personnel & human resources management    10. Physiological & neuro-psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (8)

From anger to happiness
More than an exploration of anger, this book is a prescription for overcoming hidden aggression and finding lasting happiness.Lots of references to helpful resources about how to help couples deal with conflict in relationships.

Hitting the Nail on the Head
Great book, and very readable.Anyone who has ever come away from a "sneak attack" encounter knowing they've been done in but not sure what just happened will appreciate the explanation of how to deal with hidden aggression.From school bullies to toxic relatives to smile-while-they-stab you co-workers, the book reveals what the tactics are, how hidden aggression works, and most importantly, how to effectively end the abuse.A must-read!

Excellent advice for mixed messages and angry remarks
I've read a few books about how people behave, what they say to each other, and this is by far superior to many.Though other authors get rave publicity on 20/20 and other shows, their books lack substance.I especially liked the childhood component chapter to this as it explains why people might get so angry and hold things in.Then, as the authors show in countless examples, it sneaks out and bites you.What's best, it's not geared to one gender as some books are these days so it helps everyone.I understand passive aggressive people a LOT better after reading this book and highlighting a few sections.I'm sure I'll refer to it next time I'm thrown by a difficult person. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger Management    2. Emotions    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Personality    5. Psychology    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Personality   

Reviews (6)

This booked helped me
I am a 9/11 survivor and this book really helped me accept my feelings rather than judging myself for having them. I bought this at Amazon.com from an Awesome Deal I found on DailyTool.com.

Definitely a keeper!
Greenspan's book deserves wider recognition. I found it by accident online and I wish I had seen it earlier. A must read for everyone
Everyone has losses.Everyone has wounds.This is not the end of joy but the beginning, if only we can learn to live with and find ourselves in our feelings, and embrace the life that waits for us on the other side of our pain.Miriam Greenspan's wise book is a warm and helpful guide to dealing with the dark emotions we all experience.As a writer and therapist myself I know how needed her book is and how valuable what she has to offer is.This is a must read for everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Personal Growth - General    3. Psychology    4. Popular psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Emotions   

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Movements - General    3. Positive psychology    4. Psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    6. Psychology | Health   

Editorial Review

"Depression fallout" is the emotional upheaval suffered by the friends and family members of someone who's depressed. Because at any given time, 17 million Americans are suffering from depression, there's a huge number of people suffering from this, says author Anne Sheffield, the daughter of a depressive. She compassionately recalls situations discussed in her support group at New York City's esteemed Beth Israel Hospital to illustrate how "co-sufferers" can successfully cope with their grief, confusion, guilt, and reduced self-esteem. Read more

Reviews (27)

This book saved my marriage and changed my life!
As a spouse of a chronically depressed person, I love my husband but hate his disease.I was considering divorce only because I didn't want my young children to be scarred by the nasty affects of his disease.
Anne Sheffield is a lifesaver
I've learnt so much about depression from this book.Coping strategies, what medications are available and how they work, and their side-effects, and most importantly that I'm not alone in this.This book has given me tremendous insight.In these pages, I discovered that my husband did not have unipolar depression, as we thought, but atypical depression, which is treated differently.It has given me hope, and inspired me to search for all the possible solutions.The book is also well-written and very easy to read, as opposed to many other books on the subject, some of which were so technical that it put me to sleep.Thank you, Anne Sheffield, for truly making a difference in my marriage.

Revised review:Anne's book is so special.
I have been re-reading Anne's book:"How To Survive When They're Depressed",it is wonderful. I did not realize,belatedly till recently,that it is I that must change,not the depressives that I live with.Anne's book has given me renewed courage and faith and hope,along with inner strength in order to survive.It has been a long and hard journey for me.Anne deserves a vote of thanks,for trying to help those who suffer so much from depression fallout,that it can literally almost destroy the depression fallout victim. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depressed persons    2. Depression    3. Depression (Psychology)    4. Depression, Mental    5. Emotions    6. Family Relationships    7. General    8. Popular works    9. Psychology    10. Coping with illness    11. Marriage, family & other relationships    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help / Depression   

Reviews (12)

Ups and downs
I love it, I hate it , I love it, I hate it, ... all right I love it!
My Life
I was diagnosed as Bipolar back when the disorder was called plain old Manic-Depression.I had known something was wrong for about three years, but the lows weren't all that bad, and with a loving wife and four wonderful children, working fifty hours a week, and attending college full time, the non-stop stretches of 22 hour days were certainly very helpful.When I got to the point of being suicidal, at the pleading of some dear friends I finally sought help and I was put on Lithium.My shrink suggested I read Moodswing, and as I read it is was like reading "this is your life."The author is brilliant.
Clarification
I haven't read this book (I had to rate the book in order to post here, hence my five-star review) , but I'd like to clarify two statements made by previous reviewers that are incorrect: