Grow Up!: How Taking Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult

by Frank Pittman

Book Overview

Combining his authority as a psychiatrist and family therapist with the irreverent wit that made Psychology Today call him "America's funniest psychiatrist," Dr. Frank Pittman reveals the secrets to finding true happiness in adult life, without even looking for it

In a culture that glorifies the carefree pleasures of youth, we are often preoccupied with the search for happiness and complain when the reality of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582380406
• ISBN13: 9781582380407
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

What a refreshing book!

Finally a self help book written by a therapist who thinks that we should focus on being grown ups and not self indulgent children with little regard for others. A witty and entertaining book about becoming a grown up and being responsible for your actions and emotions. Novel concepts in our current society, I know. Women will love this book because the author does a great job of trying to point men in directions that will allow them to have deeper and more fulfilling relationships with women. The anecdotes about his patients (he as been a therapist for a long time) and his family really add to the flavor of this easy read. I think that you will find this an enjoyable and enlightening book. I know that I did.

READ THIS BOOK!

This book is for all of us struggling to be adults and "do the right thing" in a society which fosters/ rewards irresponsibility and sees adolescence as a way of life rather than a stage we go through on our way to becoming full and compassionate human beings. Dr. Pittman eloquently but humorously addresses how to grow up, take responsibilty for ourselves and get the most out of our lives while debunking the myths which keep many of us entrenched in out-dated roles/expectations and unhappiness. It is a quick read and at times I laughed outloud at the authors candor and references to movies which substantiated his points.

One of the best clinical books in my 30+ clinical years.

Frank's previous books were great, but I have never recommended any one book so many times to so many of my clients in so little time. They have all reported gaining good insights into their behavior, to say nothing about changing their behavior and improving their relationships. P. 79 is especially "enjoyed" by controlling men!

The Man

As usual, Frank has drawn on his trenchant observations of movies, books, and the people whom he treats- what lucky souls they are- to create a highly informative roadmap for happiness.Dr. Pittman argues that taking responsibility and working hard ensure happiness, a radical concept for a nation all too often mired in adolescent worship. His critique of the film, Marvin's Room, tells us all we need to know; live responsibly for yourself and others so that your love is self-evident.This alone provides the grounding which so often alludes us. "Why is it that wherever we turn we cause pain on one another?" This qoutation comes from Lie Down in Darkness- William Styron's searing portrait of a self absorbed southern family. Frank likes it, and one can understand why; he has seen the root of this pain and devoted his life to defeating it, helping others live happily.