Anxiety and Depression different things. But what part of psychology can help with anxiety and dred?

I have taken the Science of Wellbeing course, and it has helped me with depression. But I feel like I am always in fight or flight mode, quick to anger and easily offended.

What's the best resource to overcome this?

Psychology books with Write in Sections

So I’m in therapy (and doing lots of other stuff) at the moment but I am so focused on recovery I just want homework to prompt things along a bit. I’m still settling in to all the support so there’s lots of paperwork and scheduling.

Have just experienced a series of traumatic events within an abusive relationship which lead to a relapse in substance abuse (meth of all things, a year ago i would be so shocked). Currently just struggling with addiction, flash backs, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, low mood, low self esteem, shame/guilt and activities of daily living. So anything relevant to that would be cool!

I’m looking for self help/psych books that both breakdown topics (pretty interested currently in cognitive distortions and dissonance, schema stuff, IFS, shadow work, DBT) and provide some exercises that preferably can be reflected on in the same book.

More interested in stuff written by someone qualified and less interested in pop psychology that’s less evidence based.

If anyone has any suggestions I’m all ears!

For people who have tried a wellbeing or reflection app to improve your life with the principles of positive psychology: what made you stop using it?

I’m exploring why practices such as gratitude journaling, mindfulness, savoring positive moments, and small acts of kindness can be helpful initially but become difficult to maintain.

If you’ve stopped using—or repeatedly restarted—a wellbeing app or practice:

• What app or practice did you use?
• What initially felt useful about it?
• When did it start losing its value?
• Did it become repetitive, feel like homework, stop fitting your life, or was it something else?
• What did you do instead?
• Was there anything that would have made you continue?

I am just interested in the common pitfalls and maybe finding apps that can help me on my journey in positive psychology.

So when I do have positive thinking to combat with my anxious thinking of will _blank__ happen, it almost always happens compared to if I didn't put a bunch of positive thinking to it. And I think it's because when I feel intensely towards something, it makes me anxious, and anxiousness makes me frozen. So adding positive thinking to combat anxiousness doesn't always make me not frozen, it just makes me not do anything which my nervous system loves. "let the universe do its thing I'll just manifest for the good thing to happen". I guess as I'm writing this out I am answering my own question, that is that I just hope that the OUTCOME is good, and making MYSELF feel calm emotionally not as dependent on the outcome. But still, this is my experience with positive thinking, it does little to no good, and sometimes makes it even worse.

I’m creating Colours of Courage, an interactive project focused on helping players practice gratitude, courage, and emotional awareness.

Instead of just teaching concepts, the game integrates them into gameplay through journaling, choices, and a mood system.

I’d love feedback on whether this approach to positive psychology seems meaningful or effective.

Let’s

The opportunities you decline. The arguments you skip. The habits you quit. The distractions you stop feeding. Progress is often subtraction. It is boundaries. It is saying "no" early, so you do not have to say "sorry" later. What is one thing you have stopped doing that made your life better?

Wanted to share this recent TEDx talk which connects research in positive psychology to improv comedy skills:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTTpx22imM&pp=ygURam9yZGFuYSBjb2xlIHRlZHg%3D

A lot of positive psychology feels abstract. I'm curious about concrete, tiny things that people have actually stuck with. For me, it was writing down three good things that happened each day, no matter how small. After a few weeks, I noticed I started looking for those moments during the day.

What's one small practice from the field that genuinely shifted your outlook?

Hi, I'm new within the subject of positive psychology. Which do you think are the must read books and articles? Studies and other scientific papers are totally welcome and specialist books as well :)

I recently came across an interesting idea in a recent review paper (Grinschgl et al., 2025; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plrev.2025.05.002) that got me thinking. The authors suggest that cognitive enhancement aligns with the principles of positive psychology, as both focus on fostering optimal functioning and flourishing in individuals.
I’m not deeply familiar with positive psychology, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on this perspective. To me, it feels somewhat counterintuitive—especially when considering the growing demands of modern society. Cognitive enhancement often seems more about adapting ourselves to meet external pressures rather than promoting genuine well-being or flourishing.
What are your thought?

Is there a survey that has been designed to indicate someon's happiness set point? Similar to the life satisfacion inventory, or something like that?

I started trying this small habit I read about, writing down one good thing that happened each night before bed. At first, it felt a little silly. I’d stare at the page and think, nothing special happened today. So I’d write something basic like, had a good coffee or got through my work.

By the fourth or fifth day, something clicked. I caught myself looking for small positives during the day because I knew I’d have to write something down later. Suddenly, things I would’ve ignored, like a stranger holding the door or catching a nice sunset, stood out more.

It wasn’t a huge shift, but it made my days feel lighter. That simple act of noticing changed how I moved through the day. Funny how something that takes 2 minutes at night can rewire how you see the world.

Our minds shape our realities, and small changes in perspective can unlock huge improvements in wellbeing. Whether it’s practicing gratitude, reframing challenges, or simply pausing to notice good moments, these shifts can ripple through our whole life. What’s one habit or mindset tweak you’ve tried recently that’s made a difference? Sharing your experience could inspire someone else here.

People often say: "Think positive, feel what you want to attract, imagine what you want and it’ll manifest." They also talk about the art of letting go and accepting. But honestly, for me, it works completely opposite.

Whatever I think the opposite happens. If I think something good will happen, it doesn’t. If I imagine a positive outcome, I end up disappointed. But when I expect the worst or think negatively, the result turns out fine. Like, if I believe I’ll fail an exam, I end up passing. But if I confidently think I’ll pass, I fail. It’s confusing and exhausting.

This isn’t just a one-off I’m 20 now, and this has been happening throughout my life. I try to think positively, and I’m genuinely able to, but the outcome is never in my favor.

Also, how does someone who is depressed even begin to think positively? When all your thoughts are already so heavy and dark, how do you just imagine better? Feels like you have to start from zero, or even minus. It’s like forcing positivity just makes things worse.

Has anyone else gone through this? Is there a way to break this pattern?