What is it about happiness that makes it so elusive for most of us and yet seemingly so simple for some? Is it a matter of how we approach our lives, or is it just luck in how we find the world?
Psychiatrist, Dr Raj Persaud, investigates the elements that contribute or conflict with the pursuit of happiness and considers how best to reach this ultimate goal.- Gresham College
Bio
Raj Persaud
Raj Persaud is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at The Maudsley Hospitals and Institute of Psychiatry in London which are the leading teaching, research and clinical institutions in psychiatry in Europe.
He also holds a degree in psychology that he obtained with First Class Honours, and in addition he has been awarded over eight degrees and diplomas including a Master's in Statistics.
He has been recognized for the innovative nature of his research by the receipt of numerous academic awards and prizes including the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Medal and Prize and The Maudsley Hospital's own Denis Hill Prize plus the exclusive medical award, the Osler Medal.
Raj Persaud reports psychological findings, which divide happiness into two distinct clusters: the short-lived pleasure of hedonism and the longer lasting cognitive happiness of intellectual satisfaction.
Branch of medicine concerned with mental disorders. Until the 18th century, mental health problems were considered forms of demonic possession; gradually they came to be seen as illnesses requiring treatment. In the 19th century, research into and classification and treatment of mental illnesses advanced. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory dominated the field for many years before it was challenged by behavioral and cognitive therapy and humanistic psychology in the mid-20th century. Psychiatrists hold medical degrees and can prescribe drugs and other medical treatments in addition to conducting psychotherapy. The psychiatrist often works as a member of a mental health team that includes clinical psychologists and social workers.
I am happy in my misery?... as an "crafts person/artist" I have always strove for perfection... artistic nirvana, you might say... it's always a struggle and I always fail... however, I do sometimes produce artifacts that others (and sometimes myself) find attractive and interesting (although never what I had fully intended)... Interestingly I have found that when I am feeling "happy" I do not have that "drive" to create (therefore feel unhappy that I am not producing anything artistic) with the same intensity as when I am feeling internal strife and emotional discontentment... when I am sad I create... when I create I am content in my misery on a journey of self expression... Hmmmmm, so I am most happy when I am miserable... interesting idea.
A good talk. He is wrong about evolution though. Not everything in us has a reason. There are traits in all animals, humans included, that have no specific reason for being in us. They may have had a reason earlier in our evolution, but have ceased to be relevant. Tail bone, hiccup reflex etc. And in that sense there a reason for their existence. But there is no other significance.
If a trait is not selected for or against it remains and devolves, but does not disappear.
I think that he confuses the different meanings of the word reason.
I thoroughly enjoyed Raj's talk! It was very entertaining, informative and provocative. It made me laugh and think, all at the same time - that is impressive. I have since become a fan of this gentleman!
I think there are cognitive measures we can take to help keep events and expectations related to life in perspective. This presentation offered a valuable tool via a 'science to happiness' methodology depicting how to find balance aka happiness - it begs the question, why do we do what we do, and how often we do review our requirements and success for happiness.