Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 284992

Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

What do you do with old Psych books?

Posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

I've been collecting them for years now, and some are frankly just not as helpful as others. But I can't figure out how to get rid of them. My therapist now knows that I research this stuff, and teases me about it. But I still am wary of giving them to one of the various charities that holds used book sales (anonymous donation of course). I seem to have this OCD'ish fear that somehow I will have left something with my name in them or something. I suppose I could give them to my husband to check before I give them away.

But really, psych books are so *personal*. It feels like I'm exposing myself by revealing them.

Ok, I'm being silly. The charities don't peruse my choice in book titles I'm sure. That's it. I'm going to sort my shelf into those books I know I want to keep and the rest and start piling them up for the book sales.

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books?

Posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 14:22:26

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

Of course, now I can't recall which ones I didn't like. A good reason to re-read my library I suppose. :)

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah

Posted by fallsfall on November 29, 2003, at 17:42:33

In reply to Re: What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 14:22:26

Send me your discard list before you get rid of them...

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books?

Posted by tabitha on November 29, 2003, at 18:11:05

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

I've been selling books to a used book store. Psych and self-help books are one variety they won't buy at all, unless they're really new, or really well-known. No market for them apparently. Made me wonder about the actual value of the ideas.

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah

Posted by noa on November 29, 2003, at 20:33:46

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

How about donating to the local jail?

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah

Posted by shar on November 29, 2003, at 21:17:39

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

D--
I keep 'em.

I seem to have a book fetish or something. I have books that I will probably never look at again....but I have no plans to get rid of them.

If you can give them away, great. You have more strength of will than I!

Shar

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah

Posted by Elle2021 on November 29, 2003, at 22:12:26

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

Oh my goodness, I have the same fear. The college I go to has a policy where they buy back textbooks after each quarter. I have NEVER resold the books back because I am afraid I have left my name or some personal doodle about someone in them. Yes it's my OCD and yes it gets expensive.
Elle

> I've been collecting them for years now, and some are frankly just not as helpful as others. But I can't figure out how to get rid of them. My therapist now knows that I research this stuff, and teases me about it. But I still am wary of giving them to one of the various charities that holds used book sales (anonymous donation of course). I seem to have this OCD'ish fear that somehow I will have left something with my name in them or something. I suppose I could give them to my husband to check before I give them away.
>
> But really, psych books are so *personal*. It feels like I'm exposing myself by revealing them.
>
> Ok, I'm being silly. The charities don't peruse my choice in book titles I'm sure. That's it. I'm going to sort my shelf into those books I know I want to keep and the rest and start piling them up for the book sales.

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Elle2021

Posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 22:37:07

In reply to Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah, posted by Elle2021 on November 29, 2003, at 22:12:26

I'm glad I'm not alone in that OCD fear. I look over all my books (not just psych books), and often have my husband look them over, before I donate them.

Perhaps I've read too many doodles and notes in used books over the years. :)

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah

Posted by DaisyM on November 29, 2003, at 23:40:09

In reply to What do you do with old Psych books?, posted by Dinah on November 29, 2003, at 12:40:10

Given your interest in becoming a Therapist, I'd keep them. Maybe box them away for awhile *until* :) you have an office. But I think a collection of "old" works would be interesting to have and look back on.

I have recently come across a 1965 copy of "The Experience of Psychotherapy" by William Fitts. It is really interesting because Therapists were in short supply "back then" and it was all newish.

I have often wondered what my Therapist would say if he saw my bedside bookshelf right now -- mostly Psychotherapy books, a few managment texts and of course, Dan Brown books. At least I'm eclectic!

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » DaisyM

Posted by fallsfall on November 30, 2003, at 11:04:21

In reply to Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah, posted by DaisyM on November 29, 2003, at 23:40:09

A friend of a friend was at my house recently. The downstairs bathroom is not working (oh, am I supposed to get it fixed?), so she went to the bathroom off my bedroom. She walked through my bedroom on the way. When she came down she asked my friend "Is she a Psychologist???". Stacked on my night table and headboard and on my bed are 24 "Psych" books of varying intensity (from "The Dance of Anger" and "In Session" to "Psychodynamically Based Psychotherapy" - an 800 page book which has, but the way, the best chapter I have ever seen on Transference and also has two long case histories). There are, of course, others scattered around my house, but I like to keep the important onces close by in case I need them in the middle of the night. I think that the larger the stack the more comfort they bring - something in there MUST have some information that will help me!

 

Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » DaisyM

Posted by freckles on November 30, 2003, at 17:03:40

In reply to Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » Dinah, posted by DaisyM on November 29, 2003, at 23:40:09

Hello,

I picked up that Fitts book in a used book store on the coast of Oregon when I was visiting there this past March. I really enjoyed it. And yes, I have a book obsession too. I really enjoy buying old psych books at thrift stores and garage sales. And I would never image getting rid of any of my books. I am also a therapist in training.

~Megan


> Given your interest in becoming a Therapist, I'd keep them. Maybe box them away for awhile *until* :) you have an office. But I think a collection of "old" works would be interesting to have and look back on.
>
> I have recently come across a 1965 copy of "The Experience of Psychotherapy" by William Fitts. It is really interesting because Therapists were in short supply "back then" and it was all newish.
>
> I have often wondered what my Therapist would say if he saw my bedside bookshelf right now -- mostly Psychotherapy books, a few managment texts and of course, Dan Brown books. At least I'm eclectic!

 

Re: old Psych books?

Posted by DaisyM on November 30, 2003, at 23:33:43

In reply to Re: What do you do with old Psych books? » DaisyM, posted by freckles on November 30, 2003, at 17:03:40

We should share more books that we like about therapy - I try to see what is on the shelves at my Therapist's office sometimes.

Someone gave me "Psychiatry can be damaging to your mental health". It was really a harsh "ust think yourself out of it" book. On the other hand I've read many of Dr. Yalom's books and they are entertaining but they seem to present Therapists as having the ability to be pretty judgemental. I now use the University library - much more "real" stuff.

I've said this before though, the most beautifully written book on depression I've read is "Undercurrents". It is not a text but rather a journal. I finally saw myself. This one I told my Therapist about!

 

Re: old Psych books?

Posted by underthecs on November 30, 2003, at 23:44:06

In reply to Re: old Psych books?, posted by DaisyM on November 30, 2003, at 23:33:43

"Undercurrents"


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