Review of You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It
Posted: 30 Apr 2025, 12:05
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It" by Kathi Sohn.]
The premise of You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It is that much of our anxiety and physical pain is a result of conclusions we reached in utero and during the formative first seven years of life. Emotion, not logic, drives the formation of beliefs that may cause problems for the rest of our lives. Even things that are positive on their face can backfire with unfortunate results. For example, telling your young daughter that she is “a beautiful little girl” can reinforce the child’s belief that she must always be “little” and “beautiful.” Now, body image may become a driving force, potentially causing physical and mental health issues that extend well beyond childhood. Worse, a child hearing “We wanted a boy” may conclude that they shouldn’t exist, regardless of future assurances or evidence to the contrary.
I use qualifiers because nothing about the human brain is absolute, and there is room for skepticismYou Made It Up is not a peer-reviewed scientific study. The book is based on therapy sessions with many patients who responded to treatment by identifying and addressing issues from the early stages of life. It uses a Body Memory Process tool (purchased separately) and exercises for the reader to try for themselves. The several-thousand-year-old concept of chakras also receives a rudimentary explanation, bringing some non-Western teachings to the presentation. It is plausible that emotional thoughts, vocal tone, and hormonal changes will impact a fetus or pre-speaking child. That is, how something is said, not necessarily what is said, may affect the child’s mental development positively or negatively.
The book is well-written and understandable, and does not overwhelm the reader with psychological or medical jargon. It is not an exceptional book; some readers will not find the arguments persuasive, but it is still worthwhile. I rate it four out of five stars.
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You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The premise of You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It is that much of our anxiety and physical pain is a result of conclusions we reached in utero and during the formative first seven years of life. Emotion, not logic, drives the formation of beliefs that may cause problems for the rest of our lives. Even things that are positive on their face can backfire with unfortunate results. For example, telling your young daughter that she is “a beautiful little girl” can reinforce the child’s belief that she must always be “little” and “beautiful.” Now, body image may become a driving force, potentially causing physical and mental health issues that extend well beyond childhood. Worse, a child hearing “We wanted a boy” may conclude that they shouldn’t exist, regardless of future assurances or evidence to the contrary.
I use qualifiers because nothing about the human brain is absolute, and there is room for skepticismYou Made It Up is not a peer-reviewed scientific study. The book is based on therapy sessions with many patients who responded to treatment by identifying and addressing issues from the early stages of life. It uses a Body Memory Process tool (purchased separately) and exercises for the reader to try for themselves. The several-thousand-year-old concept of chakras also receives a rudimentary explanation, bringing some non-Western teachings to the presentation. It is plausible that emotional thoughts, vocal tone, and hormonal changes will impact a fetus or pre-speaking child. That is, how something is said, not necessarily what is said, may affect the child’s mental development positively or negatively.
The book is well-written and understandable, and does not overwhelm the reader with psychological or medical jargon. It is not an exceptional book; some readers will not find the arguments persuasive, but it is still worthwhile. I rate it four out of five stars.
******
You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon