Overcoming Negative
Emotions
(such as anxiety, anger, or depression)
Index
Information
Advice
Internet Links
Books & Media
CSULB Referrals
Other
INFORMATION
The primary negative emotions are anxiety
(stress, nervousness, fear, etc), anger (frustration,
resentment, irritation, etc.), and depression (unhappiness,
sad, grief, "tired", low-motivation, etc.). They are the opposite of
the main positive emotion, happiness
(joy, excitement, contentment, peace, etc.)
Many people believe that they
cannot control their emotions. They believe that (1) their environment
(other people, stressors, negative events, bad luck, fate, etc.) or (2) their
genes cause them to feel negative emotions more than other people do.
It is true that environment
and biology are powerful factors that cause TENDENCIES to feel certain
emotions. However, it is possible to develop powerful internal coping
mechanisms that can greatly effect your emotional reactions and can
overcome those tendencies. The CARES self-assessment will give you
feedback about your various internal factors that can give you more or less
control of your emotions. These factors include
 |
The nature of your top
values and goals (e.g. Valuing life, love, health, happiness, achievement,
truth, knowledge, growth, beauty, inclusiveness, for all people versus
contradictory values) |
|
The nature of your key
beliefs (e. g. healthy life affirming beliefs versus dysfunctional, negative
beliefs) |
|
Your self-esteem and
self-confidence |
|
Your nature and strength
of your greatest fears |
|
The positiveness and
comprehensiveness of your world view |
|
The amount of gratitude
for what you have versus feeling resentful for what you don't have (feeling
like a victim). |
|
Your degree of your
Internal versus External Control |
|
Your emotional coping
habits and skills (what you think and do when you get upset) |
|
Self-Management and
Interpersonal Skills |
|
Etc. |
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ADVICE
The references for help
finding happiness and overcoming the primary negative emotions is spread between
several pages on this web site. Start your quest for help by clicking on
the pages referred to on this site, depending on what your primary focus is. Or
better yet, take the SHAQ CARES self-assessment questionnaire
on this web site to help you diagnose the main causes of your negative
emotions. They may be factors such as lack of meaning/life goals,
self-esteem, relationship problems, or general coping methods for dealing with
negative emotions.
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INTERNET
LINKS
Coping
with Negative Emotions and Finding Happiness
Sections in this web site for more specific
references:
The SHAQ
CARES self-assessment questionnaire on this web site
For help with ANXIETY
and STRESS click here
For help with ANGER and AGGRESSION
click here
For help with UNHAPPINESS and DEPRESSION
click here
For learning how to be HAPPIER click here
Also, links to general psychological self-help
provide many ideas for dealing with negative emotions:
General psychological self-help
information.
[Later add coping handout information.]
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BOOKS
& MEDIA
GO TO: book_sites.htm
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CSULB
REFERRALS
CSULB
Student Services
Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS)
CSULB students can obtain free counseling from licensed psychologists for almost
any type of personal problem including relationships and family problems;
stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief; academic-related concerns; career
decision-making; crises; and almost any type of self-development issue. We
offer individual and group counseling, workshops, and self-help materials
including this web site. Brotman Hall, Room 226; 562-985-4001; web site: www.csulb.edu/~caps
Other student services and
student organizations may also be helpful
Go to CSULB student information page for a comprehensive list of student services and activities
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