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| Bibliotherapy - Books and Mental Health | | |
|  theHAPPINESSblog | Aug 1, 2007 6:35pm | Taken from theHAPPINESSblog.com [theHAPPINESSblog.com]
Want to Lift Your Mood? Read a Book!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
"The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and" place, is necessary. It is the only art which can be practiced at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness," wrote Holbrook Jackson (a personal favorite of mine).
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an encouraging article yesterday about an emerging treatment being recommended by mental health professionals called bibliotherapy. Therapists everywhere are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of reading the right self-help book can have on mental health.
As a matter of fact, the well-respected journal Behavioral Research and Therapy recently "published two studies demonstrating the effectiveness of bibliotherapy in patients with depression or other mood disorders." Furthermore, "A 2003 article in the Journal of Clinical Psychology reviewed the published research on bibliotherapy and concluded that it could successfully treat depression, mild alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders..."
The WSJ writes, "Decades after the emergence of the self-help book, it remains one of publishing's hottest categories. This year, U.S. revenue for the category will exceed $600 million, a single-digit jump from 2006, says Simba Information, a market research firm in Stamford, Conn."
It continues, "Yet this category is reminiscent of the market for elixirs, oils and pills before the advent of federal regulation. Despite the growth in research, fewer than 5% of the tens of thousands of self-help books on the market have been subjected to randomized clinical trials. And authors with no scientific credentials are just as likely to hit the jackpot as are renowned physicians. 'When the book cover announces that it's a bestseller, that means nothing,' says John Norcross, a University of Scranton professor of psychology and researcher on the effectiveness of self-help books."
Selecting the right book, that can address your particular need(s), is the most important step in using bibliotherapy in your own life. No one can argue that the over-saturated shelves of your local book store's "self-help" section are filled with authentic and logically correct texts and guidance. However, some valuable resources are available and they can assist you in making the correct selection. Here are three resources: 1) The WSJ provided a link to some recommended texts relating to some specific concerns; 2) You may also want to consult the text Authoritative Guide to Self-Help Resources in Mental Health for more information; or 3) click here to read my recommended book list.
Even though bibliotherapy will continue to be tested and studied, it remains good advice to anyone seeking an increase in mental health and positive well-being to locate and read a good book. Even though WSJ does warn that "Most research suggests that bibliotherapy is most effective when used in conjunction with conventional therapy or while waiting for conventional therapy to begin," the impact the right book can have on your well-being is significant - even if you do not suffer from any actual symptoms. |
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| | | ChoofMonster | Aug 18, 2007 10:25pm | The person who popularised 'self-help' books died last week. Albert Ellis wrote some useful books utilising the cognitive-behavioural techniques which he pioneered.
I have read some fairly woeful books in the "self-help" genre. Many are derived from the personal experiences of the author, rather than scientific research. Others pander to 'junk science' and new-age ideology, or outright religious belief. |
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| Bibliotherapy - Books and Mental Health | | |
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