Hues of Self Help

Posted by Helena Smole in Schizoaffective disorder on Sep 27th, 2016

Self help is not just about reading books. It is also about becoming fluent. One can read a million books and still not learn anything, for reading a book just once usually does not mean remembering its contents for a longer period of time. So my advice would be: Don’t just read, but become fluent. What do I mean by that? Take a book you like and memorize the wisdom inside. You can write down the crucial sentences and pin them on your bulletin board or a wall. Or you can store the paper cards with wisdom notes in your wallet, where you will look at them often. Self help writer Louise Hay, for example, suggests repeating affirmations in front of a mirror, especially those about loving ourselves. That way we show ourselves that we really mean it.

There are also many exercises described in self help books, which are more important than just reading the book. Once you feel you have found ‘your method’, don’t hesitate to make it a part of your daily routine. Also remember to give a method a chance. Changing the method of self help too often will only make you dispersed and confused. Despite some commercials about methods that work at once, in my opinion every method needs time to rewire your brain. So let’s take our time.

I have been using the Phyllis Krystal method daily for 10 years. Sometimes, not always, it works like magic. Is it magic? No, I do not think so. I believe it is merely work. My subconscious must have been reprogrammed to some extent by doing the mental exercises daily. My brain must have been rewired slightly. Still, my mind has achieved nothing in comparison to some meditating monks, who have thousands of hours of meditation behind them. And I shall never be like them, for according to a Tibetan Medicine doctor I should only do light meditation. Exaggerating in long and deep meditation could make my symptoms of schizoaffective disorder worse. My psychiatrist said something similar, only in more Western Medicine words. I do not remember her exact words.

The Phyllis Krystal method does not always work like a charm though. Why not? In my opinion, it is because I have schizoaffective disorder and I do not think I can cure it with this or any other method. I can only lessen the pain it gives me to some extent.

Last but not least: never use self help instead of medical treatment. Medical treatment is like a full-time job. While self help is like a spare-time activity. Despite everything I do to stay healthy, I still take my pills regularly as instructed by my psychiatrist. Also: always consult your doctor before using any self help techniques.

Take care,

Helena Smole, author of:

– a fantasy novel with romance Vivvy and Izzy the Dwarf: A series about relationships

– Balancing the Beast, a book offering a bright view of schizoaffective disorder ˗ bipolar or manic-depressive type