Publications

Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression, Self-help Strategies for Happiness, Inner Strength & Well-being (Feb 2012)

This is the first self-help guide to using positive psychology techniques in depression. Positive psychology’s evidence-based techniques were developed originally to increase happiness and well-being but they have a very desirable side-effect – they also alleviate depression. Positive psychology offers a new and positive approach to depression. The tools can be used as a natural way to boost mood, to protect against depression, to overcome mild-to-moderate depression and to aid recovery alongside conventional depression treatment. The book is published in Feb 2012 by Watkins in the UK and Sterling in the USA. It’s up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Please visit to ‘like’ the book and you can pre-order copies from there too. Read the publisher’s press release.

Praise for Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression

“My advice is to give this book a go. If I was going to buy one book on positive psychology to treat depression, I’d choose an author who’d been properly trained as a positive psychologist, who knows how to write in an engaging and accessible way, and who understands, first-hand, the challenges of depression. In short, I’d choose Miriam.” Dr Phil Hammond

“A wonderful set of ideas and techniques that can help reduce depression and build happiness. They’re simple, engaging, practical and – most importantly – they’re all based on evidence from the latest positive psychology research, so we know they really work” Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness

“Miriam Akhtar introduces a major breakthrough in the treatment of depression.”
Dr Chris Johnstone, GP & Psychologist

“For many years I have recommended “Mind Over Mood,” to my clinical psychology trainees as the psychological treatment manual of choice. Miriam Akhtar has now written a very credible depression treatment manual, based on the principles of positive psychology. I am sure that this book will go on to become one of the few other classics in this field, along with Beck and Wolpert. Highly recommended!”
Dr Jerome Carson, Clinical Psychologist in Independent Practice, London

“The first to apply positive psychology solutions to depression, Miriam’s book is clear, engaging and enlightening. In fact it is so good that despite all my existing knowledge, I borrowed a few tips for myself! I love the summary tables and the first-aid kits – they really bring positive psychology to life.” Dr Ilona Boniwell, Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader for the first MSc in Applied Positive Psychology in Europe, UEL.

The World Book of Happiness (Page One Publications, 2010)

Miriam contributed a chapter to The World Book of Happiness: The knowledge and wisdom of one hundred happiness professors from all around the world. This book originates in the World Database of Happiness established by Prof Ruut Veenhoven at the University of Rotterdam. What makes the book unique is that it contains contributions from positive psychologists worldwide and the book itself was edited in Europe. You can get a copy at www.theworldbookofhappiness.com. Great news – the book is being published in the UK in Jan 2012 (Marshall Cavendish).

Gratitude. How to Appreciate Life’s Gifts (PPND, 2010)

This is the second book in the Positive Psychology News Daily series following up on the success of Resilience, How to Navigate Life’s Curves. Miriam has contributed a chapter on Facing Surgery with Gratitude. Available through Amazon.

Miriam’s other social history books – The Fifties & Sixties: A Lifestyle Revolution (Boxtree Books, 2002)

The 1950s and 60s witnessed a lifestyle revolution in Britain. As the world recovered from the adversity of war, these two decades saw a spirit of change, a mood of optimism, where Britain transformed itself from a conservative nation into a trailblazer for youth, hedonism and modernity. Written to accompany the ITV1 series of the same name, the book depicts the metamorphosis from a country in black & white to a nation in full colour.

Some Liked It Hot: The British on Holiday at Home and Abroad (Virgin Books, 2000)

The story of British holiday trends is told in first-hand detail by successive generations. How we did like to be beside the seaside; the high camp of hi-de-hi holiday camps; hiking, hostelling and holidays on a shoestring; the caravan craze; the lure of the Mediterranean; the package holiday explosion; the hippy trail; high society holidays from cruising to winter sun breaks; backpacking, extreme sports and beach parties. Accompanied the popular ITV1 series.

Available from Amazon.

Far Out, The Dawning of New Age Britain (Sansom & Co, 1999)

The ‘New Age’ was not a creation of the flower-power 1960s. The roots of the modern counter-culture epitomised by hippie communes and the current ‘mind, body, spirit’ ethos go back much earlier. It really began in the early decades of the 20th century when New Age pioneers had to face public prejudice, ridicule and even imprisonment. Written to accompany the Channel 4 series of the same name, Far Out tells the remarkable stories of the early pioneers and their alternative beliefs.