The Illustrated Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living

I have ADHD and GAD. I was diagnosed with the former as an adult and only recently have been discovering the interplay between those two issues. My therapist has been working with me using ACT techniques, and recommended The Happiness Trap. I picked up this book as a more ‘brass tacks’ read to hold my attention better. Despite the simplistic, comic book nature of this book, many of the ACT concepts are distilled nicely and are easily understood. It’s important to do the exercises often to build up the skills. I still struggle with GAD, and likely always will. But this book has taught me skills that have taken the edge off (skills like dropping anchor and expansion). I still think working in conjunction with a therapist is best, but this book is still great.

I'm a very visual person with ADD issues and a tendency to overthink to the point of paralysis; the illustrated version of this book was the perfect purchase for me. I was cynical about the recommendation from my doctor (Happiness Trap? ugh) but immediately I recognized its utility and loved it. Not at all condescending or preachy, and lighthearted/comic-booky enough to keep the densely packed info upbeat. While much of the material is "intuitive", the organization and categorical breakdowns of "types" of happiness, coping strategies and action plan approaches were extremely helpful to me. I read it twice in a row in one night! I was so inspired by it, I began "project managing" a few areas of my life immediately after, and now I've got my dad reading it. I expect to revisit it for the rest of my life. If you are struggling with negative feedback loops or wondering how to get your life on track in any area, this should be an easily digested read (despite the complexity of concepts presented) and it might just become the most important tool in your mental health toolbox for a while!

Easy reading and subject matter

A good self help book for people that hate self-help books. None of the fluff but still gets the point across and has easy to complete exercises. It can be a quick practitioner's guide or refresher.

So far I've really loved this book. I found great help with CBT earlier on in my life, but I'd hit a limit to how much good it was doing me. I felt stuck. Time will tell if these techniques help, but I feel hopeful that this alternate approach will continue to give me different tools. I don't see a way to review the format, but I'll just say the kindle version is pretty awful. First of all, notice the devices it works with. It won't work with a standard Kindle or Paperwhite e-reader. It seems to only work with Kindle Fires and similar devices (or computers). Secondly, it never syncs my locations across devices, and you can't make bookmarks. Also, you can't search the text, or even go to the table of contents. It seems like it's just a scanned copy of the book. I get it, since there are so many images. But given that the kindle version is more expensive than the paperwhite I would have at least expected them to add a Table of Contents and the ability to bookmark and sync locations.

Love this illustrated version. Makes it easy to read and understand for younger and older readers. If you have trouble concentrating to read, this is a good book for you.

This book offers nice tips on how to deal with negative thoughts, anxiety, self doubt, and other challenges most humans encounter at one point of another. The illustrations are a fun addition. I think everyone can take away a useful nugget from this book and recommend it.

The Illustrated Happiness Trap is a very readable and truly helpful guide to mindfulness-based acceptance and commitment strategies. I'm an ACT therapist, and after reading this book, I've given and recommended it to quite a few people. Although it is a condensed (and illustrated) version of The Happiness Trap, it covers the same information in a very pragmatic and engaging way. I really appreciate The Illustrated Happiness Trap because some people just aren't likely to read the longer book. It's been particularly helpful with teens, and for that reason, I'd love to see a version with examples and stressors more common to teens. Thanks for another winner, Russ.

Book has printing issues, last pages are not printed (missing 10pages)

This book is great, I haven’t read it yet, but people have told me that has helped them overcome or at least feel better about depression and themselves, and i’m sure it will be helpful to me as well

De toutes les thérapies brèves, je pense que l'ACT est définitivement celle qui me "parle" le plus. J'ai bien longtemps été consciente de mes pensées automatiques sans pour autant réellement réussir à m'en détacher. Ce livre me parle car il m'aide à passer de la contemplation à l'action... Enfin :)

This illustrated version of the Happiness trap provides and excellent introduction into ACT and how to create a meaningful life while acknowledging your thoughts and using the present to leave them for what they are, thoughts.

Really helpful! The illustrated format makes It an easy read, so easy that sometimes it can make some of the concepts look a little childish... But when you think about it, I think that is the true genius behind this book. It worked for me! I recommend it to everyone struggling with negative thoughts that slows you down.