Valid reasons for bad feelings

Product details

"A wise, easy, and readable exploration of a subject at the heart of human existence."
Robert Sapolsky, author of Behave

Understanding our negative emotions gives us real power. That's why it's so important to understand why our minds are so fragile. Why do I have bad months? Drawing on stories from his work as a therapist and on evolutionary biology, Ness shows how negative emotions can be helpful in certain situations, but can also become overwhelming. Anxiety makes us cautious, but it can also impair our ability to make decisions. He reveals how there are sound evolutionary reasons behind psychological and sexual disorders, and behind the existence of genes that contribute to depression, fear, or schizophrenia. In doing so, he helps us understand why human suffering is so widespread and shows us new ways to alleviate it.

"A fascinating study on the evolutionary roots of mental disorders."
The Economist, The Best Book of 2019

"Important and striking... Most likely, the future of clinical psychology will include this type of Nessian idea of ​​evolutionary theories."
Nature

"If you are preoccupied with the question of why emotions cause suffering for humans, then this book is very important for you. Ness examines emotions, addictive behaviors, and mental problems from all angles, offering not definitive answers but attempts at answers and a way of presenting ideas. He gives us a book that is enjoyable to read and insightful in its approach."
New York Journal of Book

"All psychiatrists and patients who sometimes have 'bad feelings' about their current understanding of mental illness will have 'good reasons' to read this book."
The Wall Street Journal