An article in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry discussed the implementation of “Well-Being Therapy.”  I found it interesting because they report that when people are experiencing a good feeling, they begin to have thoughts that actually drive the good feeling away.  They sabotage their present or potential moments of happiness with thoughts about the following:

1. That feeling good means something bad is going to happen
2. That whatever it is they have accomplished or are feeling is insignificant compared to what others have done or what needs to be done
3. That moments of happiness or pleasure are not important because there is no purpose in life and that we are all gonna die anyhow
4. That others’ pleasures or moments of happiness are more important and we need to forget about ourselves
5. Unrealistic standards for our actions so that we are never satisfied
6. Unrealistic expectations for relationships with others so that we are never satisfied

These researchers had people write down every moment where they felt happy or pleasured.  They asked them what interrupted each moment of well-being.  Most of the time thoughts such as the ones stated above intruded on their moments of happiness.

Fava, G. A., & Ruini, C. (2003). Development and characteristics of a well-being enhancing psychotherapeutic strategy: well-being therapy. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 34, 1, 45-63.