Self-help books can be helpful to people with emotional problems. But there’s not a lot of evidence that they actually help people change their lives. In fact, they may only have a placebo effect.
Another concern is that overly optimistic messages may inspire daydreaming and lack of commitment to changes. In psychotherapy, it’s widely recognized that change requires hard work and perseverance.
1. It’s a form of therapy
Self help, also known as self-directed therapy, is a type of treatment that involves the client working on their own symptoms and challenges without the involvement of a professional therapist. The goal is to improve one’s mental health through self-reflection, journaling, and identifying healthy coping strategies. These techniques are often used to address issues such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. Self-directed therapy can include anything from writing prompts and self-assessments to mindfulness meditation apps.
While academic psychology usually neglects the genre, self-help books have become arguably the most important channel through which psychological insights find their way to the general public. Unfortunately, these books can be misleading and may perpetuate myths and misconceptions about the nature of therapy.
In addition, many of these books are based on the work of popular authors, who can be accused of merely consolidating home truths and folk wisdom. Moreover, many of the ideas promoted by these books are contradicted by other research or even by common sense.
2. It’s a form of self-help
Self help is a form of self-improvement that uses public information and private, peer groups to improve oneself. It often involves behavioural changes that are not always easy to stick with. This could include taking daily walks, eating a balanced diet, and practicing grounding exercises. These changes can have a long-term effect on one’s mental health and wellbeing.
While there is no definitive research on the effectiveness of self-help books, the genre is hugely popular. They tend to focus on popular psychology, such as aspects of human behavior that believers in self-help feel can be controlled through effort.
Many critics of self-help books point to the fact that they often make generalizations about intervention strategies and symptoms. They also argue that these general descriptions do not necessarily equate to diagnosis, especially when it comes to medical and psychological issues. This is a valid criticism. For instance, there are plenty of books that advise people to deal with narcissism, even though the condition only affects 0.5 to 1 percent of men.
3. It’s a form of exercise
Trying to change one’s behavior requires effort and discipline. The act of reading a self help book is often a moral boost, which is why people seek out these techniques when they are struggling with a problem and then return to them when things get better. Developing a consistent practice builds discipline like nothing else.
Nevertheless, the advice in self-help books is often based on flawed research and the authors have little to no experience with the issues they’re discussing. Bergsma suggests evaluating the book’s advice by asking:
Does this claim feel backed by high-quality research? Does the author have the expertise to make this claim? Is this advice relevant to my genetics, circumstances and experiences? These questions will help readers find the best self-help for them. They should also consider what aspects of optimism a self-help book may focus on and be wary of books that promote unrealistic messages. For example, overly optimistic messages may encourage daydreaming instead of hard work and perseverance.
4. It’s a form of meditation
When people turn to self help, it’s usually because they are looking for solutions and guidance to overcome problems. When these books offer advice on a range of topics like health, happiness and success, they lift the spirits, engender hope and keep people striving to their goals; they also fend off feelings of despair and depression.
However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of these books as they are often based on unreliable sources. They can also have a tendency to encourage daydreaming and lightheartedness about making meaningful changes. This can lead to people getting bored with a particular self-help book and moving on to another.
It is possible to use self-help as a form of meditation, using the technique known as lectio divina. This involves reading the self-help material and then reflecting on it. It can help you gain a deeper understanding of the issues and develop new skills to overcome them.