Comments on: Happiness

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:49:33 +0000

I lost my job because of my boss. She sabotaged me completely because she hated my popularity and my love interest was hers too. Sounds like a sleazy novel but truth can be weirder than fiction. I lost my peace of mind and it took a great deal of support from family and friends to restore the confidence I had in myself. I still shudder when I think of those depressive days.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:10:04 +0000

Clinical depression can kill unless treated. My sister committed suicide recently after years of suffering with clinical depression. She was a normal child and developed it only in her late teens. I do know that happiness was not a choice in her life. We all tried our best but depression is a serious ailment.

By: daniel brezenoff

daniel brezenoff — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:10:54 +0000

Lizzie, while I agree with you and research bears out what you say to some degree, I think it’s a bit glib, especially in the context of a therapy website, to say that happiness is simply a choice. It doesn’t sound like you’ve ever experienced clinical depression. I assure you, for people who get depressed, there is no easy choice, and no easy answer.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:49:39 +0000

I am Irish and life is all about my family and friends. However, there have been times when I needed to be alone to be able to think straight. The pressures that an active social life can bring are different. One starts feeling obligated to please and concur with the widest view.

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:50:16 +0000

We are what we want to be- does that make sense? When you think yourself happy you will be and vice versa.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:04:55 +0000

There have been times in my life when I have had numerous friends and times when I retained only a very few close ones. And I can honestly say that friendships make me so happy. These are the ones I lean on for support and comfort in my life and I know that they do the same with me. We are a network, a surrogate family for one another and I do not know that I could survive without them. Sometimes you just need someone to listen or a shoulder to cry on and that is what having friends and being a good friend is all about.

By: Collin

Collin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:57:41 +0000

Unfortunately I think that there are some of us who are going to be predisposed to going thru depressive episodes regardless of how strong a connection we have between family and friends. But I do think that having that support system around may help to alleviate the severity of depression for some people and perhaps also shorten the amount of time that you may be down or incapacitated. This is just a thought.

By: Brandee

Brandee — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:57:58 +0000

I am sorry to hear that Michael… I guess it is correct to say that whatever causes the depression really depends on how tough it was for the person who had to go through it. I do agree tho, that it does help to have friends around when you need them, but I can’t honestly say this is the case for everyone.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:57:52 +0000

Being able to simply chat with a friend is a privilege these days in this busy world. During the first few years of marriage I was very bored as my husband was in the navy. My friends kept the wind in my sails by keeping in touch regularly and meeting up frequently. I believe that never brought temptation to my door by means of an affair.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:58:34 +0000

I dont agree with this to a large extent. I’ve always had great friends in my life. My best friend is 2 streets away from where I live. However, I went thro a really bad patch in life and was in therapy for depression post my divorce. All my friends rallied around me but I still went thro a v depressive year.

By: Samanth

Samanth — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:38:53 +0000

When you are down, your friends are there to pick you up and try to make you happy. That is why it is always healthy to have if not one, but many close friends around. It is always nice to have friends that are positive and happy instead of ones that are always negative and unhappy.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:36:29 +0000

I totally agree with this article. I have friends I work with, but sadly, no close friends to hang out and gossip with. I really do miss this and I believe that all the above works with one another to create a happy sense of being

By: Tommie Anne

Tommie Anne — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:38:56 +0000

Some of my happiest times are when I am surrounded by others that I know love and care for me. Not only does this include times when I am with my family but also at places like church. This makes me feel content and happy.