So you have finally admitted there are some things in your life you would like to change. Perhaps you are experiencing serious symptoms of anxiety or depression. Maybe you are constantly disorganized and pretty darn sure you have ADD. Or maybe you've hit a point in your life- like everyone does at some time- where you just aren't really happy with how things are going for you.
Find yourself asking "now what?"
In order to find a way to solve your problems, do you discuss them with family or friends, a trusted advisor or mentor of some sort, or maybe even consult a physician or therapist? Do you turn inwards and journal? Maybe you check out online resources, such as support groups, chat rooms, and other social media.
The fact is, when your concerns get big enough, chances are you will at some point turn to the self-help section of your local bookstore. Studies show that more and more people are using self-help resources to find healing. In the year 2005 alone, over $693 million dollars were spent on self-help books!
While there are a lot of credible sources out there, with good quality books that can help people heal and grow in healthy ways... there is also a lot of garbage. Did you know that there are no regulations to protect self-help book consumers? In other words, a person does not need to hold an advanced degree, have special training or knowledge in the field of mental health, psychology or relationships in order to write a self-help book.
With so many people out to make a buck these days, this means the consumer needs to be pretty savvy when choosing a self-help book. Here are some steps I recommend to help you spend your hard earned cash on a book that will actually do what it says: Help.
1. Is the title really what it says it is? Make sure you read the back of the book, the inside flap and maybe even scan a chapter right there in bookstore or library. Authors use catchy titles that can be misleading. You want to make sure the content directly addresses your concern.
2. Scan a chapter to see if you like the authors writing style. Sometimes these books are easy to read, sometimes it's a bunch of psycho-babble, filled with words that don't really make sense to you. A quick glance through the book can give you a better idea of how the author talks to the reader.
3. Check the author's credentials! Letters after the name help add credibility to the author's claimed expertise. These credentials show the individual has advanced schooling: PhD: Doctor of Philosophy, PsyD: Doctor of Psychology MA: Masters of Arts; and these refer to the license: MFT: marriage and family therapy, LPCC: licensed professional clinical counselor. Make sure the author has at least one of those credentials.
4. Check out the reviews on the back of the book. Are the reviews done by credible sources? If other professionals support the author, it's a good sign.
5. For that matter, check out reviews online. Many of the online bookstores, like Amazon or Barnes & Noble have a section where readers can comment on how useful the book was to them. Take a peak at those before you make your purchase.
6. For especially smart self-helpers out there, check the book for support of the author's claims. While self-help books will not be written like research papers, the really good ones do offer scientific research in support of why their method, program, idea or approach will help with your specific concern. Anyone can say they know the key to happiness or the answer to anxiety. You want a solution that is proven to work.
Most importantly, make sure its something that you actually want to read. It doesn't do you any good if sits on your coffee table gathering dust. As always, if you find self-help doesn't do the trick, which for many concerns it probably won't, then be sure to contact your local trusted mental health professionals. What the books have a tough time explaining to you, a therapist can provide answers to your questions and on-going support as you make changes in your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment