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Patients with depression sent to library for self-help books
Ruth Bloomfield15.09.09
People with conditions ranging from anorexia to depression are to be prescribed self-help books by their GPs.
A trial of the "bibliotherapy", which launches next month in surgeries around Westminster, involves patients with illnesses including phobias, mild depression, stress and anxiety, collecting a recommended title from their local library.
The "reading cure" could be used instead of drug treatment or in addition to medication and therapy.
The scheme is being run by Westminster council and NHS Westminster and will be piloted for six months through libraries in Victoria, Marylebone and Maida Vale. If successful it could be rolled out across all of the council's 12 lending libraries.
An approved list of 21 titles has been chosen by a panel of mental health experts, and includes books such as Overcoming Depression by Chris Williams, Managing Social Anxiety by Debra Hope, The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy and Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide by Janet Treasure.
Dr Sam Rodgers of the Marven Medical Practice, who is taking part in the trial, said: "From an academic perspective there is evidence that books are of benefit for conditions like anxiety and depression. A lot of patients do not like the idea of medication and the 'talking cures' all require several appointments and that bites into people's lives.
"A lot of people get on very well with self-help books, especially books which take an active approach and contain exercises. It is quite enabling as it is allowing people to heal themselves."
Dr Rodgers said people who were dangerously ill would not be sent to a library, but the approach could help people whose conditions were not life-threatening. He said all books on the list were based on sound medical principles.
"A lot of it is going to be about learning to control behaviour and gaining insight into a condition. For example, a person who is agoraphobic might be given a 10-step plan - the first step being thinking about going outdoors, then opening the front door, and building up to spending a whole day out."
The books can be borrowed for six weeks, and renewed on request. Borrower details and book loans will remain confidential. Ed Argar, the council's adult health chief, said: "I'm delighted that our libraries will now support book prescription services that could help to improve the health and well-being of our residents.
"However, it is important to stress that this scheme will be an addition to medical treatment available and as such should not be viewed as a replacement for sound medical advice."
Some titles chosen by mental health experts
DEPRESSION:
Overcoming Depression: A Five Areas Approach
(Chris Williams)
Overcoming Depression One Step at a Time
(Michael Addis and Christopher Martell)
LOW SELF-ESTEEM:
Manage Your Mind: The Mental Fitness Guide (Gillian Butler and Tony Hope)
ANXIETY:
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (Edmund J Bourne)
The Worry Cure (Robert Leahy)
Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic (David Barlow
and Michelle Craske) Managing Social Anxiety (Debra Hope, Richard Heimburg, Harlan Juster and Cynthia Turk)
PHOBIAS:
Mastering Your Fears and Phobias (Martin Anthony, Michelle Craske and David Barlow)
ANGER:
Overcoming Anger and Irritability (William Davies)
OCD:
Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(David Veale and Rob Wilson)
EATING:
Overcoming Binge Eating (Christopher Fairburn)
Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide (Janet Treasure)
Reader views (2)
This seems an eminently sensible idea but not without its pitfalls.
Many people will identify their problems in such books but only the self-aware will identify their own faults and their part in their condition. Those with low self-esteem might over-identify, heaping more guilt and blame on their already-sinking shoulders.
A large part of the talking cure is for the therapist to act as a mirror, reflecting back what the patient says. The patient may not agree with this representation of themselves and go on to redefine their views, with the therapist again reflecting back. And so on. This way leads to true self awareness. No book, however good, can provide this vital function (and I'm saying this as a self-help author myself - How to be Happy in the Real World) Books are good - you can take them at your own pace, they don't judge you, they're not as warped as some therapists, but it is still the quality of the relationship that is the most effective part of the talking cure.
As a first line of action, books are great. Westminster should be congratulated for this approach.
- Sue Fincham, Cromer, England, 16/09/2009 18:51
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I started reading the The Worry Cure by (Robert Leahy) and it looks like an interesting book as it relates to real life situations. Thanks for the info on the social anxiety books, I will check out the reviews from other websites.
- Adam, Toronto, Canada, 16/09/2009 02:37
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