summary ofFeeling GreatBook by David D. Burns, MD

first KEY POINT

There is nothing wrong with you, it’s what’s right with you that counts

For many years we’ve been told that our negative thoughts need to be challenged and changed. However, have you ever considered that perhaps your negative thoughts and your moods don’t actually link into the things that are wrong with you, e.g. your fears, but instead they come from what is actually very right for you?Confused? Look at it this way. If you’re often concerned about the state of your relationship and you always worry that your partner is going to leave you, yes that could leave you feeling very down and upset. However, when you turn that negative thought on its head, you could come to the conclusion that the reason you feel this way is because you love your partner so much and you’re a generally loving and open person. How can being a loving person ever be a bad thing?

We often dwell on the negative without challenging it and really thinking about where it came from. When you do that, you are controlled by negativity and your mood follows suit. “Feeling Great” is the perfect read for anyone who has been feeling unhappy and down for a long time. The techniques contained within the book will allow you to see things in a completely different and revolutionary way.The truth is that most of us think in double standards. If something doesn’t work out or you fail in some regard, you beat yourself up and you’re extremely self-critical. However, if a friend was to do exactly the same thing, you would tell them that it’s not their fault, that they did the best they could, etc. It’s time we started taking our own advice!

Many of our thoughts are distorted, they’re simply not true. When you’re in the grips of anxiety and/or depression, you’re caught up in a cycle of deception that seems almost impossible to escape. The truth is that anxiety and depression are very good liars. By learning to change the way you think, you can change the way you feel and beat them for good.