Joseph A. Annibali MD

Although the information, case studies and treatment suggestions provided in this book for well-known mental issues, like depression or anxiety, were interesting, my favorite parts of the book were the chapters devoted to something I haven’t heard about: excess negativity and rewriting the untrue stories your brain tells you.

I’m prone to negativity myself, and the categories of negative thinking described in the book (with examples to show why they’re ridiculous) really hit home. I’m going to mark these passages for later reference, because I think seeing the types of negativity so logically explained on a page in front of me where they’re “real” and hard to argue with will help me reshape my negatively-distorted mindset into a more rational, less negative perspective. The book also details how the brain sometimes makes up painful stories that are incomplete and untrue (like being convinced you were a horrible student in high school, when in reality you actually managed to get all B’s and struggled with school because you had ADHD). The book walks you through dissecting and looking at your stories critically to find the true, and most likely less negative, story.

Overall, this book was easy to read and wide-ranging enough that anyone who picks it up will probably find something relevant. If nothing else, it’s worth the price of the book just for a chance to reflect on how the brain works so you can better understand yourself and others.… (plus d'informations)