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I also found the book unoriginal, but can’t ignore several people who report it helpful. So let’s move the conversation forward a step: does this book or any l

by orzig 4y ago

I also found the book unoriginal, but can’t ignore several people who report it helpful. So let’s move the conversation forward a step: does this book or any like it have (even slightly) rigorous evidence of positive impact? If the FDA wanted to approve a self-help book, would they be able to find a single study to reference?

rchaud 4y ago
Reviewing books aren't part of the FDA's purview, but there are some that doctors frequently recommend. Dr. David Burns' "Feeling Good" is about as close as it gets to an English language bible for addressing early onset anxiety and depression via CBT methods. However, a doctor or therapist wouldn't just give you the book and ask you to follow its suggestions on your own. They'd work with you to set up homework (worksheets to identify negative thinking patterns for example), set deadlines and assess how you're doing after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, etc. They act as an accountability partner. Judging the efficacy of productivity advice can also be properly assessed via a similar scientific method of observation and experimentation and measurement.