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The Super-Helper Syndrome

A Survival Guide for Compassionate People

Jess Baker author Rod Vincent author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:The History Press Ltd

Published:29th Sep '22

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

The Super-Helper Syndrome cover

This insightful book explores the challenges faced by those who prioritize helping others over their own well-being. The Super-Helper Syndrome offers guidance for healthier relationships.

Do you often find yourself prioritizing others' needs over your own, even when you're feeling drained? If this resonates with you or someone you know, then The Super-Helper Syndrome is a must-read. This book delves into the lives of those who are naturally inclined to help others, often at their own expense. These individuals, who form the backbone of various caring professions, are found in schools, hospitals, community groups, and even within families. Unfortunately, their selflessness can lead to neglecting their own well-being, resulting in stress and burnout.

The authors, chartered psychologists Jess Baker and Rod Vincent, shine a light on a phenomenon they term the Super-Helper Syndrome. This syndrome captures the essence of those who feel an overwhelming urge to assist others while ignoring their own needs. The book combines psychological insights with real-life stories from a diverse group of helpers, including nurses, lawyers, and volunteers. It explores the motivations behind their actions and the psychological frameworks that drive them.

The Super-Helper Syndrome also serves as a guide for readers to cultivate a Healthy Helper Mindset. It includes practical activities to help individuals assess their helping relationships, establish boundaries, and practice self-compassion. By addressing the inner critic and promoting self-care, the book aims to empower helpers to be more effective in their roles while maintaining their own well-being. This insightful read is essential for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of helping and to support those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

"I was hooked right from the authors' note; there was such beautiful humanity to it. This book is a powerful catalyst in showing helpers how to help themselves. I loved the prompts bringing deep insight, expertly yet tenderly unpicking the core beliefs that keep us stuck in unhealthy helping habits, followed up with the practical tools to actually do things differently. This book is a game changer"

-- Suzy Reading * author of The Self-Care Revolution *

'Spend any time around most teachers and it probably won’t be long before you start seeing some visible signs of what co-authors Baker and Vincent, both chartered psychologists identify as Super-Helper Syndrome.'

* Teach Secondary Magazine *

'If you have ever felt totally exhausted from relentlessly helping other people and putting their needs before yours then this book is a must-read. It's packed with fascinating insights as to why you're helping everyone except yourself and feeling burn out as a result. Read this if you want to redress the balance!'

* Motherhood The Real Deal (UK Parenting Blogger) *

'It offers carers tools to set boundaries, realise their own limitations and understand why they often have an unrealistic and overwhelming need to help others.'

* The Lady *

'That book is now on my Christmas list…'

-- Kaye Adams * BBC RADIO SCOTLAND *

'This book is an essential read for anyone working in health or social care. It can help reveal why people respond in the way they do to the situations of others, the personal cost of doing so and how they can help without paying a high emotional price.'

-- Prof Alison Leary PhD FRCN FQNI,

  • Highly Commended in Wellness & Wellbeing

ISBN: 9780750998864

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 22mm

Weight: unknown

256 pages