Thrilled to Death
How the Endless Pursuit of Pleasure Is Leaving Us Numb
- Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
- Publisher: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2007
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Publisher's Description
A fascinating exploration of the profound loss of pleasure in our daily lives and the seven steps for restoring it. Pleasure. We know what it feels like and many of us spend our days trying to experience it. But can too much pleasure actually be bad for us? Yes, says Dr. Archibald Hart, clinical psychologist and expert in behavorial psychology. Backed by recent brain-imaging research, Dr. Hart shares that to some extent, our pursuit of extreme and overstimulating thrills hijacks our pleasure system and robs us of our ability to experience pleasure in simple things. We are literally being thrilled to death. In this insightful book, Dr. Hart explores the stark rise in a phenomenon known as anhedonia, an inability to experience pleasure or happiness. Previously linked only to serious emotional disorders, anhedonia is now seen as a contributing factor in depression (specifically nonsadness depression) and in the growing number of people who complain of profound boredom. This emotional numbness and loss of joy are results of the overuse of our brain's pleasure circuits. In Thrilled to Death, Dr. Hart explains the processes of the brain's pleasure center, the damaging trends of overindulgence and overstimulation, the signs and problems of anhedonia, and the seven important steps we must take to recover our wonderful joy in living.
Endorsements (4)
“Dr. Hart is one of the wisest men on the planet. I have worked with people and had friends who could not live without the rush of a recent thrill. Now I have a great resource for them.”
“We live in a world gone completely high-tech with little or no time to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures God created: a stunning sunrise or sunset or a fragrant rose, the simple joys of life. Dr. Archibald Hart not only offers scientifically proven research to explain the growing phenomenon of a life without joy but also outlines the steps toward recovering the pleasures in life that God created. Every one of us needs to read this book.”
“An excellent resource for counselors and for those who want to slow down, get control, and embrace the finer things of life. Arch teaches how to live joyfully.”
Dr. Tim Clinton
“Arch Hart’s ability to keep our leadership focus boldly realistic, clear-headed, and genuinely holy is well established. This newest book is our summons to meet again in his classroom—to grow in wisdom and increase in true effectiveness.”
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