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

In my opinion, Minirth and Meier have written a helpful book on helping people deal with depression. While the authors certainly allow for heredity and other factors as causes of depression, the main focus is for the reader to take responsibility for his/her own life. The book is divided into 3 major sections: 1. WHAT IS DEPRESSION? 2. WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION? 3. HOW CAN ONE OVERCOME DEPRESSION? I particularly enjoyed reading the last section as it is full of practical suggestions for dealing with and overcoming depression. Although I do not consider myself as someone who struggles with depression, I found the book to be full of practical suggestions to keep me from approaching the brink of depression. Again, the authors' focus is for the reader to take responsibility for his/her own life rather than to just let circumstances dictate one's response and approach to life. While not probably the final authority on depression, the book is still a helpful aid to fighting depression. While the authors are Christians, anyone, non-Christians included, will benefit from the suggestions. Read and enjoy. Recommended.

An excellent resource for those struggling with codependency and various other psychic illnesses. The book is written by Christians with a Biblical perspective, which is awesome for those who want to read a recovery book that emphasizes the spiritual approach to health and wholeness.

Simply put, another reviewer's religious [anti-religion?] bias aside, it is refreshing to obtain a medical/psychiatric expert's training & experience encourage personal responsibility and personal empowerment (albeit with the help of God/one's "Higher Power"). People can indeed be free from symptoms of depression, or obtain some relief at least, through what can be termed cognitive-behavioral methods. Minirth's position is supported by research, which finds the use of this treatment in conjunction with medications as the most effective for depression.

I have been suffering from depression and anxiety for many years and am on medication. This book has helped me understand some of the aspects of what triggers anxiety and the choice I can make to control my responses. A person of faith will highly regard this book. The applications can be useful for every day stress that causes anxiety and mild depresseion that everyone is subject to.