Customer Reviews

Addicted to Unhappiness : Free yourself from moods and behaviors that undermine relationships, work, and the life you want

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is a quick read. The reason I picked it up was trying to understand why a bully at work had me down. On pg 224 the matter is addressed, "Frequently there is someone in the workplace who is snappish, constantly angry or agitated, or who has an emotional hair trigger. The addiction to unhappiness can cause you to take other people's grouchiness personally, when in fact it's not about you but about them. If these difficult coworkers or managers treat everyone else the same way, there is certainly no reason to feel particularly singled out or attacked. By taking their behavior personally, you gratify your addiction to unhappiness and ruin an otherwise good day."

Okay... I feel like I've been given a pat on the head and told to run along.

Every problem outlined is blamed on one's parents and sends you back to their previous book, Smart Love, to understand how the failures of your parents are to blame for everything from eating addictions to my problem with a bully.

Having said that, I think they have identified a real issue - it is mysterious but some people do shoot themselves in the foot when life looks good - but this book is a disappointment if you think it will help you overcome this tendency. The Piepers tout the magic of their therapy sessions which may indeed be true, however this book recycles typical self-help ideas: make a plan for change and be vigilant that you don't backslide, but mostly they repeat over and over again the idea that you are either preventing yourself from achieving happiness or you are actively choosing to cause your own unhappiness.

I have been so discouraged in my life trying to make changes. This is the first self-help book that has really helped me. First, it described me and my problems exactly both in relation to my work and also my attempts to stay healthy and fit. Then it gave me really down-to-earth suggestions, most importantly including what to do when I hit a wall. For the first time I have been able to get past my failures and keep going on my resolutions. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!!

I can't recommend this book enough. It has helped me see my relationships in a whole new light- both with my spouse and also at work. The relationship questionare really helps you focus on what matters in a relationship and then you learn exactly what to do to get out of those ruts that are so easy to get stuck in.

Having been clinically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder for many years, I can first hand relate to the premise of the book and can draw parallels to its information. Yet, I'm vigilant to understand that the contents of this book are simply one of many tools in my 'toolbox' that I draw insights from about my life's journey.

This book alone may not give you the 'answer' you may be seeking as to why you feel unhappy/unsatisfied with your life but, instead what it will be able to provide is valuable insights as you journey toward uncovering potential causes. For me, I kept in mind that there are numerous factors that can contribute to a persons unhappiness and for me, yes, they all lead back to my upbringing.

The reality can be harsh for some, and this is a reason many people leave therapy, or in this case perhaps condone this books validity. It's easier to run then to stand and accept reality. I should know as I've done it.

For me this book serves examples from which to draw either parallels or direct relationships to. It was not a "Step One, Step Two, etc." 'How To' in order to get happy again (opposed to what the cover may say). Instead it is a reality check stating that what you may uncover will not be pleasant nor will the road to bettering yourself be easy.

Combined with therapy (I consider it like having a severe physical illness, you're always checking in with your Dr. to ensure good health) this book is worth its contents and will serve you well if you feel that something is missing (joy, happiness, contentment) and you just don't know quite where to start looking as to why.

After reading thousands of self-help books trying to figure out what's "wrong" with me, I found a book that explains everything!
This book is wonderful. I hope everyone that can't understand why they can't change the things they want to change, can't figure out why they are compelled to do some of the things they do, feel disgusted and unhappy with themselves for their lack of "self-control", etc. finds this book. Highly recommended!

My work experience has always had unpleasant elements based on conflicts with co-workers and difficulties I have had tearing myself away from the office. Now I know why! Reading Addicted to Unhappiness showed me that I was causing a lot of the negative experiences at work by taking co-workers' bad moods personally and feeling I could never delegate. The book gives you lots of practical suggestions you can immediately put into effect - I have a much better handle on work now and it's become an enjoyable part of my life instead of the part I dreaded. I really recommend this book highly.

I read this boook and loved it, as apparently did most of the people who reviewed it. I can't understand the writer who seems to think that anyone who disagrees with her and was helped by the book has to be dishonest - what an ego!
Don't be affected by this grump - this book is the real deal - it has changed my life for the better. And I am not a plant!!

I read this book about six months ago, when I was really depressed and knew something was wrong. The title of this book caught my eye because I had a sense that indeed I did become happy when something bad would happen. Sounds insane, but I had realized this was my truth. So I read the book, and the stories given helped me learn that I was not alone in these behaviors. It opened my eyes to look at my own life and choices to see how bad I treat myself and how I'm caught it this destructive cycle. This book helped me understand what I was doing and let me feel that there is nothing wrong with just me. I was not alone!! I highly recommend this book, and I tell many others who asked me how I've overcome so much this past year, that if you are depressed and know something is wrong in your life, this book is something you should read. I'm even going to read it again, because breaking the pattern of creating my own unhappiness is hard to break.

I have gone through my share of self-help books, but I have yet to read one that helped me understand WHY I'm the way I am. This book definitely did that. By understanding the cause of my behavior, I am more confident I can make the improvements that will make a positive impact on so many areas of my life. I am grateful to the authors for their insight. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who experienced overcritical parents or who had responsibilities to take care of beyond their years. I would have liked to see more detailed step-by-step instructions or possibly some written exercises, but, overall, a big help!

I bought this book after reading all the positive reviews posted on Amazon. Let me say I am extremely disappointed. The author's explanation of how we supposedly become "addicted" to unhappiness when we are little is so unbelievably simplistic that I must say I strongly suspect this book was churned out to milk the self-help wave. Don't expect ground breaking insights here.

As for the positive reviews, I have my doubts. Simply look at the language used, the dates of posting and the locations (Chicago and Kankakee, Illinois, you seem to be teeming with Pieper fans!!)

As I said, I am really disappointed. I will not ever touch anything by these authors again.