Do you believe in 'Self Help' books?

Question

I have noticed for some time now there is a massive market for so called self help books.

I am wondering if you have read one or if you can recommend one or if you think they are rubbish and why?

I just want your opinion because I am interested.

thanks

Answer 1

Some are great some are horrible.  

Answer 2

Some are nice, yes.

It honestly depends on the author(s) and their philosophy though.

Just search around for what feels right for you.. <3

Answer 3

When I first started to relive childhood sexual abuse -I went though a phase of buying loads of them - but rarely read them just flicked though but just owning them seemed liek a security blanket - shelves of advice.

The one that was really good was Laura Davis  and Ellen Bass  Courage to heal. I also liked Gabrielle Roth's Urban Shaman.

I don't think they are rubbish and I think that they contain a lot of wisdom but do feel that there is nothing quite so good as being part of a group that is helping each other or seeing a counsellor - the book s can then be a focus. I was in a womans' spirituality group and we were working through a  self help book  called Motherwit it was really helpful for us.  

Answer 4

They do a wonderful job, stating the obvious. But it always helps to benefit from the experiences of others provided they are legitimate.

Answer 5

I think they  can help some, mainly in encouraging the reader to be positive and consider possibilities.

Here's one based on proven techniques and tools you should consider, but it is based on Cognitive therapy and the fact that your feelings are directly influenced by your thinking:

http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Days-Self-Este...

The Bible can help a lot too.

Answer 6

I do. The rewards for writing a successful book can be quite encouraging.

I am on my third one ' Turn Those White Patches On You Fingernails Into

Role Models'.

Answer 7

At the time they seemed to reflect just what I was feeling, and I got some measure of comfort from knowing others had been there too and come through the dark period.

Later, reviewing some of them, I found they were all remarkably similar, a little clichéd even, and I found it hard to connect myself with them. Perhaps I simply outgrew them although they obviously helped me at a difficult  time.

Answer 8

I'm not sure I believe in books.

Answer 9

Well it's not like the tooth fairy, it's not about believing. It's about whether it works for you.

If written well, by somebody with experience, they can be really good, but there are a lot of **** ones out there.

Answer 10

Well, you usually get one if you wanna learn or do something. They are useful for a couple of pointers on the subject in hand. Although they can never be 100% - there's only a certain amount you can learn from a book to be honest.

But i 'believe' in them yes.