Happiness Is a Choice: The Symptoms, Causes, and Cures of Depression

I had started a new job and was walking in the area of Glendale California with Russ, a co-worker, while out for lunch. We had stopped at a corner, waiting for a streetlight to change when a very pretty woman walked up to me and asked me, “Would you like to find the way to happiness?” I thought to myself, am I being solicited or selected as an object for entrapment? Based on the situation, I felt the only safe answer was to politely say, “No”. She then handed me a flyer and told me she would be at this location for a meeting and open house that started at 6pm. Being new to the area, I asked my co-worker what he thought this was all about. He tapped me on the shoulder and motioned for me to look back. The storefront behind us was listed as, “The Way to Happiness”. The storefront is really a location for the Church of Scientology. Before all this, I had already decided that becoming a Scientologist was not the way to happiness. I also have used Biblical knowledge taken from the Sermon on the Mount, as a reference when I started reading the book, “Happiness Is a Choice” by Frank Minrith, M.D. & Paul Meier, M.D. The manuscript was written to help the reader navigate the pathway through emotional pain and depression. What intrigued me about the text was that the authors’ have approached the subject of describing the relationship between spiritual life and psychological health, by using a Biblical base perspective. We all know that people think science and religion are at opposing ends of the knowledge base but I think most people will agree the Bible is helpful for body, soul and mind. The authors’ list seven quintessential choices for the reader that need to be resolved in order to reach a sense of well-being, what we call “happiness”. All seven choices are based on the great commandment of loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. These seven choices are essential to being kind and show a Christ like love. This commandment includes loving our enemies and our neighbor as ourselves. Some people know this philosophy as “The Golden Rule”. Without a focus on healthy behavior, we can easily become our own worst enemy when we follow our heart and not our head. We are encouraged by the seven choices to challenge our inaccurate thinking by using the Word of God. The Bible is its own best commentary but we need to look at the Word of God as an authority and not just a guidebook. We need to share hurts. They say confession is good for the soul. We all need someone we can confide in, whether it is about good news or bad. We must meet dependent needs through Christ and the local church. Without a solid foundation of Jesus Christ and our brethren at church, we will often find ourselves walking along a dangerous pathway, where we will meet risks and temptation disguised as friendship. We also should consider using a medical solution, when needed. Often we are quick to reject help in any form while not realizing that someone else has a problem just like us and may have found a solution that fits our need. We want to emphasize Christ. Jesus has told us, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life but do we really believe Him? These seven choices are listed in the book as the keys to finding happiness. Happiness and depression go hand in hand, like love and hate. The subtitle to the book is, “The Symptoms, Causes, and Cures of Depression.” The text is divided into three sections explaining in detail, how to deal with depression. Part one, called What is Depression? Clinically explains depression. We read and learn from the text how people actually get depressed. What are the symptoms of depression? This gives us insight into the sad effect of moodiness, like facial expressions, crying, downcast or sad eyes and smiling depression. Many men and women have smiling depression and smile inappropriately to cover up sad or angry feelings from within. The second part looks into the causes of depression. Among several possible causes, the authors’ tell us, “Most human depression is the result of our own irresponsible behavior-our own irresponsible handling of our anger and guilt.” It is much easier to blame all our troubles on bad genes; alcoholism and people surprisingly just choose to be depressed. Again, the authors’ write, “Most human beings, however, hate to face up to their own human responsibility, especially when it comes to their own emotional state. It is so much easier to blame all our woes on bad parents, a poor mate, unfair treatment by the world, hypoglycemia, or –in today’s modern world—bad genes.” Answers are needed not excuses when dealing with depression. I have known of a few cases of suicide attempts by young people who struggle to cope with depression in this new age of social media. In fact, the NBA estimates that half their basketball players struggle with depression, even though they possess large wealth and fame. This book has answers that are written in easy to read language, while teaching us about the clinical nature of the subject. The ability to express technical answers to complex questions is an art. These authors are known for being excellent communicators. Paul Meier M.D. has been a guest on many radio and television programs while addressing the issue of depression. Frank Minirith M.D. is a member of American Mensa and can be found on a weekly radio program about the subject as well. The third part of the book is my favorite section. It’s called How can one overcome depression? There are three basic needs for all human beings. These needs are self-worth, intimacy with others and intimacy with God. The author’s tell us, “Any good psychiatrist knows that ‘I can’t and I’ve tried’ are merely lame excuses…so we have our patients change their cant’s to won’ts. If an individual changes all his can’ts to won’ts, he stops avoiding the truth, quits deceiving himself, and starts living in reality—if he is a Christian.” Being rooted in reality is one of two things needed to overcome sin. The second is the Word of God. The most interesting chapter in the book is, How do you find lifelong happiness? This part lists twenty-five tidbits of advice needed, with application, to have us on the road to happiness. This road trip requires a change in the way we talk to ourselves. We are admonished to quit condemning ourselves and remove all negative self-talk. We must dwell on our accomplishments and hold back focusing on the past failures of life. I highly recommend Happiness Is a Choice” by Frank Minrith, M.D. & Paul Meier, M.D. There are no simple answers to depression. Still, faith in Jesus Christ and the principals of God’s Word offer a solution. Achieving happiness is a gradual process and the book does well to give us hope that depression is curable. With a positive attitude, happiness is a choice, our choice! I think this book does well to encourage and empower us to make the right choices. The happiness you find within this book may be your own.

I really liked this book, because it really just tells it like it is. Sometimes, that can be really hard for others to face. We all like to believe that we are victims of others, but this book asks you to take personal responsibility for your own actions and feelings. I have very little doubt that a non-Christian would not get it. There is a very pervasive tendency to flee responsibility in today's culture, and it's far easier to play the victim than to fight to overcome your own tendencies. I would invite some of the reviewers of this book to read the section on histrionic types and to note that all descriptions apply to both men and women. This book is hardly mysognistic and clearly points out that physical and mental abuse are wrong. It merely says that if you are the victim of such abuse, you need to look at whether your actions might be contributing factors. As a former victim of abuse, I would agree. Yes, I was a battered woman, but 90% of the time, I was pushing that man's buttons so that I could play the victim. Doesn't excuse his behavior (as this book points out), but how could I ever go on to have a healthy relationship if I didn't face up to and change my behavior? That is what this book is about. The title says it all. "Happiness is a Choice". The choices we make and how we choose to deal with things that aren't our choices lead to either happiness or depression. The authors and I disagree on some points of religion (i.e. I believe that I have a responsibility for preserving my own salvation, once I have received that gift from God), but it is aimed at helping people realize their own responsibility for their happiness. God will take care of us and provide for all our needs, and we can choose to be content with what He's given us or not. It's our choice.

If you've ever suffered with depression, then this is a great book to read. It helped me to take things slow, really search deep for the root cause of my sadness and helped me to actually work through it and out of it. The book is very simple and an easy read. It doesn't negate your feelings. It doesn't tell you how to feel, but it does help you realize that it's ok to feel good about you and it gives you workbook type activities to help you get to that point. I recommend this book to everybody I know and the people who really sit down and absorb and apply the information have found it to work wonders for them too. It certainly beats paying a psychiatrist $200/hr just to tell you things you already know. This book gives you the motivation to take action on those things.

Great Book. I have given this book to three different people. All of them found this book quite helpful in dealing with their depression.

I've used this book as a gift to many people over 20 years and its one that keeps bringing depression education, understanding and relief. I've purchased so many that I don't remember anymore the amount!

This is an amazing book! A dear friend had recommended it to me for quiet some time. I am so 'happy' that I finally read it! The authors help you to better understand depression. And, there are many applicable points that can help anyone who is serious about making a choice to be happy! :)

How I ever lived without this book I just don't know, it xlerified so many of my thoughts, it just isn't funny. The title says it all. Again, good thoughts=good happenings. Happiness is a choice. Buy it, study it, learn from it.

Depression is something that can be very debilitating and it is difficult to find answers. I believe Dr. Minirth and Dr. Meier have stated some tough realities but gives reasons, gives a plan, and thereby gives hope. Hope is what depressed people need; hope that says I'm not going to have to feel this way the rest of my life!

This is the best book I've ever found on the topic of depression, what causes it, and more importantly - how to change the processes that lead us to that "edge" of energy and capacity, to stay healthy mentally and emotionally. I read the book originally in German, and then English; I've read it at least three times, to remind myself of those key points for me personally. I've recommended it to others, given it as gifts, and loaned out countless copies! Both my German and English copies are on loan now, as a matter of fact... The authors (both doctors and psychologists) walk the reader through explanations, clinical examples, checklists of symptoms, explain causes in layman's terms, and then begin to walk you toward recovery. The steps are up to you. I've never found another book that I would ever recommend as highly as this one; if you know anyone going through depression, or are in the claws of it yourself, this is your light at the end of the tunnel.

Ein sehr überzeugendes Buch von Fachleuten, die sich mit dieser Thematik sehr gut auskennen. Eine Fülle von praktischen tipps und Anwendungen und viele "eye- opener" Sehr zu empfehlen für Fachleute, Seelsorger und Betroffene gleichermaßen!

自分自身の状態が少しでも見れればと、(精神的に落ち着いてからですが)、読む機会に恵まれました。 キリスト信者の医師とのこともあり、 内容に聖書の一節が書かれている部分が所々にありますが、個人的には、それほど気にならず、それ以上に医師としてのご経験からの分析、洞察、患者様との向き合い方のお人柄など、とても参考になりました。 自分がなぜ陥りやすいタイプ・パターンなのか知りたかったのもあったので、 そういう意味では、患者として医師から状況を説明されている感覚で分かりやすい表現と解説で、かなり読みやすかったです。 育った家庭環境や自分の傾向が明らかにされている分、気づきや納得することも多いのですが、もし自己批判や自己否定、外側に原因を責めがちな時期だと、少し苦しさを感じてしまう可能性もある気がしたので、読むタイミングにもよるかと思います。 ただその分、冷静に自分と向き合うタイミングである場合には、状況や状態に伴う対処法もいろいろ載っていて、わかりやすいし腑に落ちる感じがありオススメです。 「うつは改善できるんだ」とも思わせてくれる経験と語りで感じさせてもらえました。 自分も少しずつ取り入れながら、パターンを解消いていこうと前向きな気持ちになれました。 うつを繰り返されている方や自分の傾向やパターンを根本的に解消したい、見直したい、向き合いたい方にはオススメしたいです。

I recommend this book to everyone.

「怒りを感じる相手が、許すに値するかどうかは別にして許しなさい」という意味のことがあった。 それを読んで思ったのは「うつの人間って、つくづく損」。 幼少期に受けた傷の痛みをこらえているだけで精一杯なのに、相手を許さなければ、自分はいつまでも幸せになれないってこと。 「怒りを自覚することが大事」と本の最初にありましたが、まさに私はこの本に怒りを感じました。