Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Mass Market Paperback – January 27, 2015

I will say that I did change my public name so that this review would be somewhat anonymous because I'm an educator and the stigma of mental illness is pretty pervasive. I've been following Elisha Goldstein and other mindful pages on FB for the last year or so. To give a little history, manic-depressive disorders run in my family. My mom, a sincerely warm soul, struggled with bipolar and subsequently alcoholism her entire adult life. I started to notice my own patterns probably around my early twenties. I saw my mom go through the trial and errors of nearly every anti-depressant medication and it was pretty devastating to watch. Recently my depression had gotten worse, it was affecting my daily functions. I was starting to notice I was thinking increasingly violent thoughts, wasn't able to recognize myself in the mirror, sleeping excessively, drinking more (all the typical signs, if you bought this book in the first place you know what they are). I did a little therapy, which was kind of not that great. It's amazing how many people have advanced degrees in therepy but are really clueless. anyway, I decided that I wasn't going to take any prescriptions, mostly due to fear of the awful side effects I'd witnessed in my mom. So, I started looking for ways to alter my mind state naturally and through some quick googling and research, I found this book. It's more of a workbook in a sense, where you can write your own thoughts and actually utilize the tools. I really like that aspect of it. I also like the idea of identifying triggers and loops in negative thinking. That particularly has helped me a great deal. I've started to recognize my stressors and where they are stemming from. This awareness in itself has allowed me to de-escalate my mind and see my thoughts for what they are. I'd recommend working through this book gradually, taking it a chapter or so at a time, digesting the material and incorporating the practices into your routine in small doses. I've had this book since it's release and it's already made a significant impact on my overall mental state. And for those analytical people, Elisha gives plenty of reference material, resources as well as anecdotal evidence to support his theories. This is not at all some fluffy feel good sugary nonsense. Its really straight forward and very sincerely helpful. Also, I accidentally bought two copies of this book, so if you are thinking about purchasing it but don't have the money, shoot me your email and I'll send you my second copy for free.

To years my doctor diagnosed me with depression. It was a very sad time in my life as I had experienced multiple deaths. She prescribed an anti-depression medication. After three months, I returned to the doctor to tell her I didn't believe the medication was working, that my depression had worsened. She then prescribed a different anti-depressant. After this drug, I felt totally out of control. Knowing I was still suffering from these deaths and trying to grief, I was in a constant fog., not getting better but getting worse. Finally I gained the courage to tell a friend about my depression. She shared that she also suffers from depression. We talked a long time and exchanged experiences. When I told her which medication I was taking, she was shocked. According to medical research, this drug has the highest rate of side effects. She suggested I either see my doctor again or slowing taper off taking the drug. I found a support group online of people who have also had experiences with this drug and other anti-depressant drugs. It was there that I found out about this very special book. I am no longer taking any medication for depression and feel like my old self again. I have read the book cover to cover three times. Each day I apply the information and suggestions to help improve my life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who thinks they might have depression, or has been diagnosed and is under doctor's care. Anti-depressant medication stole two years of my life and now I laugh everyday instead of crying!!

This review is of the audible book edition. I purchased both the kindle version and the audible version because I was going to be driving for a good amount of time and thought that I would get started on the book on my way. Unfortunately the audible version is NOT the same as the book. It is a podcast of the author talking about the book and referring to the book but is not the book. I am disappointed that this is not more clear in the description of this product. I was expecting the same content and it is not the same at all.

Dear Dr. Goldstein,I am a veteran NYS Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Psychologist here in New York who has been actively involved in growing the mindfulness community on Long Island for the past ten tears. My wife has been undergoing a health crisis since September - being hit by her 37th consecutive year of debilitating cluster headaches. Despite being under the care of a world-class headache specialist at Mount Sinai Medical Center here in New York since she herself was a medical student, she has found no permanent cure and this condition has dramatically altered our lives and the lives of our three daughters. During her last ER visit two weeks ago in level 10 pain, while she was sedated yet again and finally slept, I started to read Uncovering Happiness to try and draw some personal strength for myself. I finally found the time to finish it today. As a career REBT therapist trained by Albert Ellis himself, and mentored by the work of all the leaders in the CBT and mindfulness fields for the past 38 years, I can say without hesitation that your book has just soared to the top of my most-recommended reading list for my beloved patients, family members, and friends. Your style is clear, your information all-inclusive, and your personal anecdotes ring of personal truth and wisdom. Uncovering Happiness is a one-stop shopping trip for lifelong mental health! I thank you and congratulate you on sharing this treasured volume with the world:)Sincerely,Anthony Pantaleno, Ph.D.

Buy this book! I have been a Mental Health Nurse for 27 years and suffered episodic depression for 36 years. This is the best thing I have ever read on the subject. I was already familiar with most of the subject matter, but it is written in such a clear and helpful way and made so relevant that I could have been hearing it all for the first time. I have already recommended it to friends and our conversations have already changed, to include some of the concepts in the book, such as being able to point out each other's Depression Cues and Loops. I'm currently signed off work, recovering from another episode of depression and Elisha's book has been a real help and source of hope. I will be recommending it to patients on my return to work and suggesting we register it on our Book Prescription list. Do yourself a favour, practice some self compassion and buy the book. Thankyou Elisha.

We tend to think that the word 'antidepressant' can only refer to medication. Elisha take us beyond this idea to show that the way we think can also be a natural way of keeping depression at bay. In the main body of the book he goes into the details of a mindful approach to treating depression while a second section includes two different levels of recap and a 'toolkit' of techniques to try. I've found this approach to be of huge value and a life-changer. Highly recommended.

What is this book about. It can show you the ways how to untangle yourself, understand yourself better. Also, that you are not alone. Many people or each of us encounter knock downs. The thing is to be able to understand what is happening to you in order to do something about it. There are strategies, explanations, practical advises etc. I first borrowed this book from the library , but discovered that it is a keeper. :0)

I really loved this book. This book covers the natural reasons why happiness is/was less accessible for some people, like me and that there are ways of activating the body's natural resources for feelings of well-being; Dr Goldstein explains the different researched processes in a gentle manner and offers many easy to follow ways of acquiring the skills for self compassion and finding relief from unwanted feelings which then exposes the path for happiness. An essential book for anyone wanting to improve how they feel emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually, whilst learning ways of thinking more kindly towards ourselves.

Nicely written, presented to a patient and she enjoyed it