Self Affirmation - Is it a bunch of crap?

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.

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Good point, Orion.

Life is change.

Maturity is learning how to respond to change.

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

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.

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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.

"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.

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Damn.

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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.

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"Denial" is not just a river in Egypt

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"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.

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