|
Introduction
Series Synopsis 
Credits
Awards & Recognition
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
Episode 1: Family, Friends & Lovers
The first episode looks at the importance of relationships and why they are central to our emotional well-being. What are the cognitive and neurological processes underpinning our everyday interactions, and can they help us to understand why some relationships flourish and others fail? The program profiles a young boy adopted from a Russian orphanage, whose lack of attachment in infancy fundamentally threatens his ability to build relationships for years to come, on both a biological and emotional level. The film also presents the stories of a young man coping with Asperger's syndrome, two women grappling with the stress of workplace conflicts, a teenager who was bullied with tragic consequences, a couple in therapy for a troubled marriage and more—all to better understand why social relationships are so critical to mental health. From our very earliest relationships within the family circle, to the group dynamics that enable us to thrive or that can lead to isolation and despair, even down to our most intimate love relationships, the latest scientific research reveals that we are deeply wired for social connectivity, and that it is perhaps the most fundamental part of being human.
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
Episode 2: Facing Our Fears
The second episode explores emotions that are commonly regarded as obstacles to happiness—such as anger, fear, anxiety and despair. Why do we have these emotions and how can we best manage them? Our brains are designed for survival, and the negative emotions they create are vital to that mission. But, they can spiral out of control with debilitating effects. The film features a woman whose inability to control her temper jeopardizes her relationships, a college student whose fear of flying is limiting her life and a teenager who is struggling to overcome clinical depression on the eve of attending college. It also profiles two veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and follows their journeys toward treatment. Along the way, it examines the latest therapeutic techniques—including cognitive behavioral therapy, anti-depressant drugs, the resurgence of electro-shock therapy, and new imaging technologies that are beginning to reveal the effects of such treatments on the brain.
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
Episode 3: Rethinking Happiness
The final episode looks at the state of happiness, itself. What is it, why is it so difficult to attain, and how can we get more of it? We meet individuals facing major turning points in their lives—a job loss, a cancer diagnosis, the death of a child, a tragic accident—as well as those encountering more common struggles. Their stories encompass the latest research—including studies that show how we often mispredict what will bring happiness, leading us to look for it in the wrong places, and new findings that indicate we are far more adaptable to crises than we may think. The program also explores activities and qualities that can foster happiness, such as meditation, compassion, forgiveness and altruism. And it presents the remarkable stories of resilient individuals that scientists are studying, including a man who overcame an abusive childhood to become a renowned surgeon and a Vietnam veteran who survived torture and seven years as a POW, yet emerged emotionally unscathed. Understanding why some people have the ability to bounce back after disaster strikes, while others do not, sheds light on how all of us can lead happier, more fulfilling lives. The film ends by coming full circle to the understanding that it is the quality of our relationships—with friends, family and the larger community—that ultimately defines our happiness.
 
|
|
 |
|