Unit 61
How happy Are you?
Self-test
Find out with this test designed by Dr. Raj Persaud, consultant psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital, London. Consider the following statements:
1. My ability to concentrate is so good that I can forget how time has flown.
Agree: ADisagree: B
2. There are many things about me that if others knew would make them like me less.
Agree: BDisagree: A
3. If people don't like me it is usually because of their own problems.
Agree: ADisagree: B
4. There are secrets about my past that I keep to myself and would not share.
Agree: BDisagree: A
5. If I had my time over I would do practically everything I did again, the same way.
Agree: ADisagree: B
6. There are many ways I could improve as a person.
Agree: BDisagree: A
7. My parents think they're lucky to have had me.
Agree: ADisagree: B
8. My life was better in the past than it is now.
Agree: BDisagree: A
9. I was born with a combination of talents few others have.
Agree: ADisagree: B
10. I get upset more with myself than others.
Agree: BDisagree: A
Analysis
8 or more As: You are scoring very high for happiness. However, one problem with being so happy is that it may lead to complacency. You are less interested in changing yourself, or improving certain aspects of your character, than most people.
6-7 As: You are just above average for happiness, either because you're basking in the glow of some recent positive life events or because you have a long-term tendency to feel good. Your happiness dips when you become self-critical -- at these times you need to be kinder to yourself if you want to improve your happiness.
3-5 As: Your average score means that you tend to dwell on times when you have invoked the disapproval of others. You need to realize these negative messages may say more about those saying them than about you. Greater happiness will not depend on others' approval for your self-worth.
0-2 As: You're scoring low on happiness, which means you're confusing the pursuit of short-term happiness (through comfort eating, alcohol or other self-destructive habits) with what would bring you lasting happiness -- the pursuit of a meaningful long-term goal. You need to stop putting off working towards an achievement that would make you truly happy.
