How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything--Yes, Anything!
T**N
Great book.
No nonsense clear approach for people to achieve a better perspective on things that are controlling them. This book allowed me to overcome a difficult anxiety and attain peace of mind. If you have an open mind and want to get some balance to your emotions this is a great book. A real eye opener for me.
D**L
Rational, Informative and Helpful
As a retired social worker, whose clients were often dealing with emotional distress, I wish I had been aware of this book to recommend it to them. Albert Ellis has a very conversational style of writing that makes the information he shares very accessible and enjoyable to read. The charts in Chapter 12, "REBT Insight No. 7: Solving Practical Problems as Well as Emotional Problems", were especially helpful. I'm finding Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy useful in my life and know that it is worth the effort to apply it.
A**R
Great principle. Sometimes got lost in his examples
The premise of REBT is powerful and the examples are easy to relate to. I found myself getting lost a couple times because he'll chain together scenarios and their analysis back to back. I think I only found some of the early chapters confusing in this way, but I found it harder to sit and read through the book. Not impossible or horrible, just a little less enjoyable.I wish more of the doctrine of psychology was anchored around these principles. Psychoanalysis and the cathartic method feel antiquated and ambling, like the bloodletting of yesteryear. Less pharma, more rational beliefs. Be well.
S**V
Everyone should read this book
Definitely a must read book for everyone. Good advice on how to correct your irrational beliefs to have better control of your emotional state.
P**U
Logical disputation is a great idea - it's just not everything
I'm not entirely sympathetic to REBT in toto, but I found this book useful, refreshing and a delight to read. It's unusual to see an acclaimed psychologist communicate with a style that is this eccentric and polemical. The guy definitely does not mince words and I did find his relentless scientific optimism a bit tiring. Nevertheless it is exactly this relentless and frenzied advocacy of his ideas that eventually wins you over. I actually found myself feeling better where I previously I was miserable and sorry for myself.Essentially he's saying 'Stop the melodrama!' You can calmly accept that things are not as you would like, without plunging into the abyss of 'awfulization'. The tyranny of 'musts' and 'haves' are lurking around every time you upset yourself over something and must be untiringly exposed and disputed with. In this sense he breathes new life into ancient stoicism. I'd urge anyone who found this book remotely appealing to read the works of Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Having plucked that absolute gem from this book, and also agreeing that his polemical style drives it, I must say that I disagree with him on several counts. I don't think logic is the answer to everything. I also don't think that constant scientific disputation is a credible answer to human suffering. While psychoanalysis or long-term therapy can easily devolve into Byzantine and needless tail chasing, it can also be wonderfully healing, supportive and unearth profound emotional truths that can liberate people from compulsively toxic behaviours. Being eclectic I may well have ole Ellis turning in his grave when I state here that I'm having quite some success integrating his brand of stoic scientific rationalism with psychoanalytical ideas, mysticism and behaviourism. It cannot be otherwise. Life is complicated and erecting straw men to bash is easy.
L**5
Amazing for anxiety
I purchased this book as part of a reading list recommended to me for OCD. It is a phenomenal book and it gives me what therapy didnt-- actual tools and insight needed to recover from anxiety disorders. You must practice his methods and not expect quick results--but what I will say is for smaller disturbances I felt relief SO quickly. He prompts you to question and challenge your beliefs and he encourages you to keep doing so until you have altered them. Once you identify some of your beliefs you might find yourself shocked at how silly they seem once they are in front of you. He uses a firm tone and lots of satire to develop his no-nonsense approach. If you are looking for a short-term distraction feel good/self help book with lots of reassurance and weak advice, then this isn't for you. If you're ready to take charge of your well being and change the beliefs that cause you distress, then Ellis gives you the tools to help you get there. Be prepared to do the actual work. No quick fixes. I'd recommend the paperback so that you can highlight and take notes.
M**I
Uncommon sense
REBT is one of the best methods for people seeking to rid themselves of emotional disturbances that are rooted in irrational beliefs. While there are limits and room for critique, taking the guidance in this book and intentionally and consistently applying it to one’s life will help make life better for you and those around you. It won’t be easy but the benefits are here for the taking.Unfortunately REBT is uncommon sense. Recent political and sociological events across the ideological continuum validate the fact that people are prone to irrationality, ignorance and the avoidance of discomfort and inconvenience to maintain their foolish convictions. While I hope more people will employ the recommendations in this book but I stubbornly refuse to make myself miserable believing people will go against their natural inclinations and start behaving rationally. Read this book, follow its advice and be an exception to the norm. You’ll probably enjoy life more.
M**G
Excellent book
I am doing much after tReading the book.
D**N
This book changed my life
If you are a secular, rational person looking for techniques to keep yourself at peace, this book is for you.Ellis’ therapeutic techniques are deeply rooted in Stoicism and Buddhism, just without the metaphysical nonsense. This book is deeply practical, and easy to implement.
C**N
Emotivo y realista
Nosotros somos la razon por la cual estamos sintiendonos mal y tristes, con ira etc. Aceptando nuestras situaciones, el mundo alrededor, aceptandonos sin condicion y a los demas es la unica forma de salir de un ciclo vicioso que nos hace daño internamente. Me ha gustado mucho y me ha ayudado un monton con mis obsesiones que me llevan a la ansiedad y a la depresion.
A**R
Mental Health Bible - a must read
First read this many years ago and I go back to it again and again. The best self-help book ever written as far as I'm concerned. Other books give you a proverbial fish but this book teaches you how to fish (psychologically speaking) and you carry that tool with you for life - excellent!
C**N
Excelente libro de autoayuda
Buenas técnicas para mejorar por tu propia cuenta!Tuve que comprar marcatextos para subrayar muchas palabras sabias e importantes.
S**Y
Most effective self help book for me-out of almost 150 self help book I got.
The book quickly makes me and keeps me calm with other people,loved ones,world and my issues and beliefs.Trust me -If you buy this book u will definately go on buying all of the books by Albert Ellis.Simply matchless book.I have gobe through hell in my life and still am going through but this book keeps me super calm.I just read couple of chapers daily.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
2 months ago