Customer Reviews
Fun, light-hearted, and informative - By: Jessi, 04 Jul 2008 
I bought this lively, charming book as a gift for a close friend who has struggled with a variety of mental health difficulties for years. She has been misdiagnosed twice, with unfortunate & frightening consequences, & I thought that this good-humoured spoof on the tendency to label everything that moves would cheer her up. She was amused to discover that she shares a diagnosis with some beloved childhood characters.
Thanks to its friendly, accessible, & imaginative style, 'Tigger on the Couch' will also do a great deal to remove some of the stigma that is attached to various mental health conditions - which, according to James, was the reason why she wrote the book. She is related to somebody who has experienced mental health problems & wanted to change public perceptions of such difficulties. This is just the book to do it.
No, it's not a textbook. It's not a diagnostic manual. It's not intended to be. If you are a qualified psychologist or some other mental health professional, buy something that is explicitly targeted at you - but bearin mind that you don't have to have be a doctor or have a degree to write about mental health problems. They can affect anyone, either directly or indirectly - just as they affected Laura James. The perspective of a clinician may be valuable, but that doesn't mean that the perspective of an interested & compassionate layperson is useless.
Nonsense written by someone with no relevant qualifications - By: Postmodern Minx, 20 Apr 2008 
It's a shame that Ms James felt she should to author a book that she is unqualified to write. "Author, Journalist & Magazine editor" (from the book itself) Laura James should stick to subjects she knows something about, & leave psychology & psychiatry to those of us who are actually qualified to write about it.
Her ludicrous misunderstanding of even the most basic psychiatric concepts would be laughable if they weren't so potentially damaging. Her notions of the characters here being 'ill' are nonsense, & show that she does not understand that psychopathology is culturally situated. Winnie the Pooh lives wellin his space & culture, with a house, good friends, enough food etc. He is happy & has a fulfilling life. Drug & behavior therapy (as she suggests) would not be indicated, & the very notion that they would is repugnant.
I think Ms James has misunderstood the purpose of psychology & psychiatry. It is not to indoctrinate, & failing that to drug, everyone into some bland conformity, but rather to relieve distress. Her 'case studies' demonstrate her simple misunderstanding of this basic point.
I was further distressed to note that she has also failed to research her source material sufficiently. Winnie the Pooh's songs do not "Cause distress to his friends & neighbors" (p.49) rather they are often pleased by them & request them to mark special occasions. The whole book is replete with these kinds of errors of fact, which makes her laughable interpretations all the more ludicrous.
What concerns me most is that some people will understandably buy this bookin the belief that the contents are an accessible introduction to a series of facts. They are not. Consequently, I shall not be recommending itin my own practice. I urge you instead to buy one of the many quality introductory works available that are written by people who have some basic knowledge of (and qualification in) the subject.
Very fun! - By: Andrea Howes, 15 Oct 2007 
Having heard Chris Evans say on his show that he's tkaing this book on his honeymoon, I decided to check it out. I found the individual case studies really funny, it made me laugh out lould. On a more serious note the book also makes the subject of mental illness a lot more accessible, without downplaying it.
pull up a chair and tell me why you bounce so much? - By: ian davies, 11 Oct 2007 what a superb idea & a great way to deal with some important issuesin an interesting & approachable way. It probably isnt going to become the standard text book for the British Psychological Society but somehow I dont think that was the intention.
Thoroughly enjoyable - By: Louise, 11 Oct 2007 A very enjoyable, insightful & interesting read. I discovered a lot about psychological disorders & it was really thought-provoking. Definitely a book I would recommend.
