Self Affirmation - Is it a bunch of crap?

[orion59]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 1:45pm

Marquise, there's a book I would actually enjoy reading. No nurturing your inner brat, no daily affirmations in the bathroom mirror or regressing into past lives. Just shut up, accept the fact that life isn't always what you want and move along.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 1:48pm

I think most of the self help books and anti-depressant medications are crutches and excuses. I think the people who stand to profit off them will do what they can to keep you "addicted".

Life sucks. Get over it. Pick up. Move on.

Updated On: 8/7/05 at 01:48 PM

Posted: 8/7/05 at 1:50pm

Good point, Orion.

Life is change.

Maturity is learning how to respond to change.

i.e., "Just deal with it."

[Plum]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:05pm

*shrug* Who am I to argue with that works for people? To some, self-help look like a crock. To others, maybe it actually helps. No one way of living works for everybody.

And jrb, please don't dismiss depression that easily.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:11pm

I don't believe I did. I do believe I carefully said the word "most".

When almost everyone we know is on some kind of anti-depressant these days, you know there is something ridiculous going on.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:12pm

nice shiny crutches!

[Plum]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:13pm

When almost everyone we know is on some kind of anti-depressant these days, you know there is something ridiculous going on.

Then we must run in different crowds.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:14pm

Well, I do work in theatre...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:20pm

"I think most of the self help books and anti-depressant medications are crutches and excuses."

So exactly which medications fall out of your spectrum of "most"? They work on brain chemistry, so each person will have a different experience with certain medications and dosage. Just like pain medication, different anti-depressants work differently for each person. I personally would certainly be dead if I hadn't found the one that worked for me. You're treading into some dangerous Tom Cruise-ish territory, jrb.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:21pm

rath, x does not count as medicine.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:22pm

Damn.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:23pm

I affirm that some people are just mindless twits.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:26pm

I wasn't referring to people who DO have issues and DO need the medicine.

I am referring to every other person who thinks they need a pill or drugs to get through life. People who do not REALLY need them. People who see a commercial on TV and have instantly found their cure. Doctors who don't check to make sure the meds are needed, they just prescribe them.

I feel the same about the way we are throwing ADD medicine at any energetic child these days.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:29pm

You know, in a way I don't see the "self-help as crutch" argument. I mean, look at the name of it- "self-help." These people want to help themselves. Maybe they're going about it the wrong way, but they're not just passively accepting their misery or whining about it. They want to fix things. And like I said, if those books help even one person climb out of true depression or prevent him or her from slipping into it, I tip my hat to them.

That's not to say I can't see the stupid side of it. Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:33pm

"Denial" is not just a river in Egypt

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:33pm

Well, I don't judge people to their face for it. I just laugh at them behind their backs.

Now, when they put it on the stage in their cabaret or one woman show--THAT gets to be nauseating!

Hey---I'm not knocking ALL self-help, certainly not one's desire to better themselves. It's very connected to spirituality/religion. I AM knocking the pitiful/cheesy side of it. And, more than anything--those who do not write/lecture/sell/prescribe with honest intentions.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:38pm

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:43pm

I look at it this way........whatever works for someone is ok by me. Who am I to judge what is, and is not right for someone else?

I have friends whose lives were changed by Louise Hay, by meditation, or by crystal therapy......

If it works for them, more power to them.

[orion59]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 2:45pm

"Who am I to argue with that works for people? To some, self-help look like a crock. To others, maybe it actually helps. No one way of living works for everybody."

You know, I almost agree with you. I think it's a crutch, it's a way of not taking responsibility or action, it's a way to blame the universe for your problems, but if you enjoy it, fine.

My problem with the whole thing is that it really doesn't seem to help. If that type of thing helped people, they wouldn't be running back and forth to the bookstores every week....Dr. Phil this week, Depak Chopra the next then on to Marianne Williamson and Andrew Weil. Nobody ever really improves their lives. They just put more money into the pockets of opportunists who prey on the weak of character. These people would be better off putting down the books, videos and audio tapes and getting some medication from a doctor.