BBC wrote:Self-help 'makes you feel worse
Canadian researchers found those with low self-esteem actually felt worse after repeating positive statements about themselves. They said phrases such as "I am a lovable person" only helped people with high self-esteem. The study appears in the journal Psychological Science.
A UK psychologist said people based their feelings about themselves on real evidence from their lives. The suggestion people should "help themselves" to feel better was first mooted by Victorian Samuel Smiles 150 years ago. His book, called simply "Self Help", sold a quarter of a million copies and included guidance such as: "Heaven helps those who help themselves".
Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people, such as individuals with high self-esteem, but backfire for the very people who need them the most, said Joanne Wood of University of Waterloo
Self-help is now a multi-billion pound global industry.
Real life
The researchers, led by psychologist Joanne Wood, said: "Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people, such as individuals with high self-esteem, but backfire for the very people who need them the most."
However, they say positive thinking can help when it is part of a broader programme of therapy.
Simon Delsthorpe, a psychologist with Bradford District Care Trust and spokesman for the British Psychological Society, said self-esteem was based on a range of real life factors, and that counselling to build confidence - rather than telling yourself things are better than they are - was the solution.
"These are things like, do you have close family relationships, a wide network of friends, employment and appearance.
But you can see which bit they did see, as with all their Inner Space shops and corporate guru spin offs ...
Self-help is now a multi-billion pound global industry.