Self-help Books - Do they work?


© Lynette Rees
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Dec 5, 2001


I held a recent poll at 'Introduction to Counselling' which asked the question "If you had a major problem in your life e.g divorce/separation, bereavement etc, which of the following are you most likely to try?" This was how Suite users voted:

* Counselling ( 33.33%)

* Talking things over with a close friend ( 58.33%)

* Watching a chat show like Oprah ( 0.00%)

* Reading a problem page in a newspaper or magazine ( 0.00%)

* Reading a self help book/taking a self help course ( 8.33%)

Talking things over with a close friend was the number one option for most people. Counselling came second, followed by reading a self-help book/taking self help course. Watching the Oprah show did not even get one vote, considering it is such a popular show. Neither did reading a problem page. Which goes to show that people still prefer the one to one approach, whether it is talking through a problem with a good friend, or going for counselling. As self-help books were an option for some, I decided to find out what people really thought of them. I sent off e-mails to a selection of friends, and posted to the Momwriters group at Yahoo to ask people how effective these books really were?

Tenna, a Momwriter replied: "If I had to pick a single self help book dealing with my issues on child sexual abuse and rape, it would be Ellen Bass and Laura Davis' "The Courage to Heal." I realize the powers that be in the psych world now consider this to be behind the times but nothing has helped or was written that I related to as well as this particular book. Believe me, I could start my own library for survivors but nothing can touch it."

Tenna, is also a Contributing Editor here at the Suite, writing articles on Child Sexual Abuse: http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/7793 Tenna, a victim of incest and repeated rapes herself during childhood, is the owner of 'Survivor Haven' an ezine and newsletter specifically geared for survivors of rape, child or domestic abuse. It is a monthly featuring of authors who fight the ugliness of abuse by writing about it. (You can receive the newsletter by visiting the above link.)

Another Momwriter, Judy, writes: "I too have found self help and motivational materials very helpful. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that my most recent finds have drastically changed my life. Because of these materials I have truly found myself. My health is improving, my marriage is improving....many things, EVEN releasing the WRITER inside me.

I really do not think I would be writing yet if not for:

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
4.   Dec 12, 2001 2:06 PM
In response to message posted by Renie_Burghardt:

Hi Renie,

Talking things over with a friend came out top in my la ...

-- posted by silverlady
3.   Dec 10, 2001 3:25 PM
Hi Lynette, I used to read a lot of self-help books, like Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dwyer (hope I spelled their names right) etc, but if I am really depressed about something, I find the best help comes fr ...

-- posted by Renie_Burghardt
2.   Dec 8, 2001 7:29 AM
In response to message posted by Beawriter:

Hi Bea,

I think you are right with your attitude towards self-help book ...

-- posted by silverlady
1.   Dec 6, 2001 11:35 AM
I read self help books all the time. I take what I need from them but not one book is 100% right for any person. I've read mainly books on how to improve myself spiritually and also to have a better a ...

-- posted by Beawriter



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