How often do we hear ourselves say, ‘I can’t cope’, ‘I’m going mad’, ‘I’m losing my mind’? Despite the wall-to-wall advice on offer to us today, how often do we struggle to maintain a healthy mental attitude in the face of seemingly endless pressure? Now, in this groundbreaking work, the eminent psychiatrist and broadcaster, Dr Raj Persaud, confronts crucial issues – such as emotional intelligence and the meaning of happiness – and offers proven strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy, positive mental attitude, regardless of the stresses and strains of daily life. Packed with case histories, questionnaires and fascinating scientific research, this is an invaluable, twenty-first century survival handbook – the ultimate self-help guide to staying sane. ‘He is the most eminent psychiatrist of the age…the guru of common sense’ Spectator ‘He can do what most consultants can’t – translate medspeak into plain English’ Dr Phil Hammond, Independent
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‘A radical new approach to keeping ourselves mentally healthy’ Independent
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By RJH
Format:Paperback
If you're used to the typical self-help guide layout - large chunk of book saying how wonderful book is followed by chapters where your hand is held through a rather dictatorial programme - you'll find Persaud's approach rather different.
Give yourself at least a week to read the whole book - it's not a dip-in, dip-out guide. If you put in the effort, you'll find you're rewarded with a real insight into what contributes towards a healthy or unhealthy mind, and you'll have the tools to be able to help yourself through all kinds of predicaments.
Persaud refers to a wide range of studies into mental health issues, but doesn't treat the lay-reader as an idiot or litter the book with jargon, keeping the text intelligent and accessible. Top tip: make a few notes and take page references when you read anything particularly pertinent as the layout of the book doesn't lend itself to you being able to track down that paragraph quickly again.
Overall: fascinating, full of surprises, and if you persevere through the 600-odd pages, you'll probably feel much better-equipped to deal with life's inevitable ups and downs.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book contains a lot of information that could/should be of use to two different types of reader - the academic and the general reader with concerns about their own or someone else's mental health.
In its current form I would imagine it is missing out on the first group by presenting itself in such a 'popular' format - the cover, the quizzes etc. This is a shame because I feel it must surely be of use to those working, training or researching in the field of mental health.
As for the rest of us, the mentally unstable, we just want to be able to find what we need when we need it. I read this through rather quickly, gobbled it up in fact, as I was emerging from a major 'episode'. I found so much that made sense and that gave power and control over my stability back to me. But I didn't make notes as it never occurred to me that I would need them. Big mistake.
The next time I could feel myself sliding away, I turned to this book for reminders of how to help myself and ended up getting very frustrated. I didn't need all the references and support for each point, I wanted sub-headings, bulleted lists, chapter summaries and the like. An index, Raj. Couldn't there have been an index?
Any plans for a more user-friendly edition?
In its current form I would imagine it is missing out on the first group by presenting itself in such a 'popular' format - the cover, the quizzes etc. This is a shame because I feel it must surely be of use to those working, training or researching in the field of mental health.
As for the rest of us, the mentally unstable, we just want to be able to find what we need when we need it. I read this through rather quickly, gobbled it up in fact, as I was emerging from a major 'episode'. I found so much that made sense and that gave power and control over my stability back to me. But I didn't make notes as it never occurred to me that I would need them. Big mistake.
The next time I could feel myself sliding away, I turned to this book for reminders of how to help myself and ended up getting very frustrated. I didn't need all the references and support for each point, I wanted sub-headings, bulleted lists, chapter summaries and the like. An index, Raj. Couldn't there have been an index?
Any plans for a more user-friendly edition?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A refreshingly unusual self-help book in that it addresses everyone and not particularly those who think they have a mental health problem. Coming from a well-known Psychiatrist in the UK the book makes one stop and look at oneself. There are short questonnaires that help you guage how you are and what line of thought might benefit you. I read it when feeling quite sane (as I mostly do) and it pointed out aspects to me that I had not thought about. The chapters entitled 'Hell is other people' and 'Me,me,me' are particularly recommended and can be read in isolation if one is short of time. All in all certainly worth owning and reading periodically.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Dr. Raj shows the postive power of the mind in this book, a lesson we can all take advantage of to enhance our daily life. He shows we are all alot stronger and more capable than we think.
In this current climate , its seems fashionable to encourage people to feel fragile or unable to cope, which then can become reality.
Anytime I feel in need of a shot of common sense and wisdom, I dip into "Staying Sane" which strengthens my thoughts and actions.
We have an inbuilt mechanism to survive which Raj explains simply and reassuringly. There is no need to spiral into torment.
This positive reasoning is constantly being thrown into doubt by "counsellors", a detrimental exercise, which can cause great anguish, when we are quite capable of helping ourselves, as Raj illustrates.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
In Staying Sane, Raj Persaud uses no nonense, easy to understand language for lay people regarding practical advice and proven methods to help people who are negative, stressed, depressed and with or without mental health issues. This book is fantastic from cover to cover.
As a self help book it will certainly enable people to develop certain techniques to help themselves.
As a Psychiatrist and Psychologist he is certainly 'in the know' regarding nay issues to do with mental health.
I recommend this book to anyone who finds life difficult at times and needs to gain control over negative thoughts and emotions, or people with mental health issues, and also a great chapter on how to help people with such problems.
Craig
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having bought quite a few self help books, I found this book by Raj Persaud to be one of the most absorbing and enlightening.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a great and original book for people looking to improve themselves. It combines chemistry, biology, diets, psychology, psychiatry and plain common-sense (and more!) to help both those who have a mild mental problem and people who want to prevent problems for themselves in the future.
The author is very honest and "to the point" about his views. This is what I liked about the book. And I feel I have learnt so much from it and am definately saner! This is the most impressive self-help book I bought so far.
I recommend this to everyone who is likes these types of books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
uplifting and optimistic
Staying Sane is largely a guide to looking after your own mental health and, where possible, turning to friends and family and developing your own inner self-belief. Read more
Published on 19 April 2008 by Peter Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read and a Great Help
Dr Raj Persaud must be commended once again for "Staying Sane". Firstly for his bravery in going populist, something which is frowned on by the professions. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2008 by Chris Bowman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear, concise - simply a brilliant book
I cannot recommend this book enough. The author writes in a clear and concise style that puts across complex ideas and explanations in an understandable language for the... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2007 by Hazelwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put it down
A fantastic read, very eloquently written. He has the ability to describe thought processes that everyone can relate to in their own lives. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2007 by L. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr Raj Persaud is the expert
Dr Raj Persaud is an internationally recognized expert in the personal development industry. When he talks people listen. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2004 by Zev Saftlas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr Raj Persaud is the expert
Dr Raj Persaud is an internationally recognized expert in the personal development industry. When he talks people listen. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2004 by Zev Saftlas
3.0 out of 5 stars
A text lacking direction!
This text styles itself as "the ultimate self-help guide to staying sane". I would disagree with this description. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overwritten and repetitive
I was quite hopeful when I picked this up, it promises a lot and for all I know it may well deliver. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2002 by oja7
5.0 out of 5 stars
A manual for life
I found this to be one of the most enlightening books of its kind on the market. Persaud writes with a clear and commonsense voice that at all times projects a passion for helping... Read more
Published on 26 July 2002
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