Reading about psychiatry when you're down - do or don't?

Tweet

This is a discussion I've often had with several people. For one, my mother. I've suffered from depression for six years, and I've read a lot about e.g. personality disorders during that time. My mother was very much against it, saying that I should try to do more optimistic things instead of reading about diseases. On the other hand, my therapeut and a depressed friend who also reads much about psychiatric problems both agree that you should read about your problems, to understand them and learn to combat them more easily. I tend to think so to, but then again I can see my mother's point too. I know that I've many times just sunken deeper into my depression when I've read for instance lists of symptoms. Still, when I learned about dysthymia and realised that must be my problem, I felt better. What do you guys think? Should you try not to think about your problems, doing creative, active things, or is it okay, or even good, to try and understand your disorder/disease/whatever through psychology books?