Sadness, fear and anger are the primary negative human emotions and the cause of much suffering. We often wish we could get rid of these negative feelings, which may even make us question our own mental equilibrium, particularly if we have the impression that everyone else is in control. But the time and effort spent struggling against these emotions just seems to magnify their significance.
Yet it is perfectly normal to feel sadness, anger and fear. The author argues that rather than trying to rid ourselves of our negative emotions we should learn how to make positive use of them.
In today’s world, there is immense pressure to be “happy”. As a result, all forms of sadness, fear or anger can be made to appear abnormal. The author explains how not to fall into this trap and how not to give in to short-term strategies to keep our emotions in check (overeating, watching television, hyperactivity, impulsive buying).
By working on ourselves and following the step-by-step program described here, we can gradually accept and appreciate our feelings and emotions and learn to live with them.
This book will also help us learn to live with the emotions of those whose lives we share: partners, children, friends, family.

Stéphanie Hahusseau is a psychiatrist and the author of Comment ne pas se gâcher la vie (2003).