Happy Okay By Mj Fievre
If youre looking for something unique, this poetry book is beautifully written while also sending a powerful message about mental health. M.J. Fievre invites readers to let go of the depression stigma and start loving and believing in yourself. Happy Okay? helps readers see that happiness is a choice and how to start embracing a more optimistic mindset. Check out Happy Okay? here.
Undoing Depression By Richard Oconnor
If youre depressed, you dont think youre worth the cost of treatment. You feel guilty about being unproductive and unreliable
This book talks about undoing the effects of depression beyond medication and therapy. Not everyone can afford the cost of treatment, but untreated depression will affect the quality of your life.
With a holistic view of depression, the author recognizes the many factors that influence the emergence of depressive symptoms. Often overlooked, its our own behavior and habits. They play a key role too. Gradually, poor thinking habits are formed and we get good at being depressed.
Focusing on the behavioral aspects of depression, this book helps you to unlearn your habitual behaviors associated with depression and build new habits. If you need a book to alter your course of depression, this is the book for you.
Books On Depression: Helpful Resources For When You Feel Depressed
Dena Westphalen
Pharm. D.
When a persons mood, self-esteem, motivation, and energy are low and depression is high, for many, books on depression can make a positive difference. It turns out that reading books can have a substantial impact on mood, energy, and self-esteem, and reading can benefit people who are already using forms of professional treatment.
Called bibliotherapy, the practice of reading books to treat physical or mental health disorders, like depression, is a concept attached to cognitive behavioral therapy . Experts find that reading books and information on dealing with depression can be a valuable resource that, with some guidance from a professional, may effectively treat depression.1
For our audiences convenience, we include links to Amazon so recommended books can be easily purchased. Choosing Therapy may earn a commission from Amazon when purchases are made using the links on this page. Read more about our high editorial standards and
Here are ten books that could help boost a persons mood and well-being:
Recommended Reading: Does Smoking Cause Anxiety And Depression
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone By Lori Gottlieb
Weve all heard the saying, never judge someone until youve walked a mile in their shoes.This candid memoir reveals Lori Gottliebs experiences as both a psychotherapist and patient, so she examines depression from all angles.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone dives into her own internal conflict and her patients experiences, which result in the exploration of some thought-provoking questions surrounding love, guilt, courage, hope and more. Check out Maybe You Should Talk to Someone here.
Related: 101 Anxiety Quotes
The Three Types Of Mental Health Books
Books about mental health come in three flavors:
All three flavors can be more/less useful given the situation/personality/tastes of the reader. Thats why Ive specified the type for each book below.
Also Check: Is Constant Crying A Sign Of Depression
Best Self Help Books For Depression And Anxiety 2021
We all know that books are the best escape from the world when we are stressed. Reading books is very beneficial for battling anxiety and depression. Some people refer to reading books as Bibliotherapy.
So, for those who are struggling with anxiety or depression in their daily lives, we have adjoined the top 15 self-improvement books for sailing through this tough phase like a champ!
So lets get started with the small reviews of the books for self-improvement.
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook For Depression By William Knaus And Albert Ellis
If you enjoy taking a hands-on approach to problem-solving, this book will be suitable for you.
Using cognitive behavioral tools, this book provides you step-by-step action to feel better. It helps you in areas such as self-esteem, worry, assertiveness, helplessness and more.
This book is dense, but it can be used individually or in conjunction with therapy. If you find it too technical or difficult to get through on your own, you can either skip some of the parts or you can do it with your therapist instead.
As the title suggests, this is a workbook. So to reap the full benefits of this book, it would require you to do the exercises.
You May Like: Guided Meditation For Anxiety And Depression 10 Minutes
Hyperbole And A Half By Allie Brosh
For: An accessible, funny and honest account of depression which makes you see the world differently.
Allie Brosh’s distinctive Microsoft Paint-style drawings and her unique sense of humour combine to create a tender and funny reading experience about her depression.
“At first, I’d try to explain that it’s not really negativity or sadness anymore, it’s more just this detached, meaningless fog where you can’t feel anything about anything⦔ she writes, articulating a commonly shared feeling.
In her own memorable style, Brosh captures the sense of listlessness that can accompany depression.
“I had so few very few feelings, and everyone else had so many, and it felt like they were having all of them in front of me at once. I didn’t really know what to do, so I agreed to see a doctor so that everyone would stop having all their feelings at me,” she writes.
Ending on a hopeful and positive note, Brosh offers a rainbow-coloured one liner with a smiling sun and other smiley faces: “Maybe everything isn’t hopeless bullshit.”
Depression Anxiety And Other Things We Dont Want To Talk About
Price: $
Pastor and psychotherapist Ryan Casey Waller believes that we are not meant to manage the mental illness we struggle with. In his book, Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Dont Want to Talk About, he points out that mental health issues are not a symptom of failing spiritually or lacking faith, and that the battle doesnt need to be lonely and discouraging as experienced by so many.
Waller combines clinical insight with practical theology and deep empathy, inviting us to talk about mental health without shame and discover why self-awareness is important. He encourages us to explore how psychology, biology, and spirituality intersect and discover different ways to heal.
Price: $
Its not a coincidence that depression rates have gone up in our modern, fast-paced society.
In The Depression Cure, Stephen Ilardi, PhD, reminds us that human minds and bodies werent designed to function well with poor sleeping and eating habits and long work hours.
He takes us back to basics, using examples of techniques to combat depression that are inspired by populations like the Kaluli of Papua, New Guinea, who are still untouched by modern technology.
Read Also: Depressed And No One Cares
Feeling Good By David Burns
Can depression be cured without drugs?
In this best-selling book, Dr. David Burns offers clinically proven strategies for improving mood and managing emotional issues such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem without medication. Based on cognitive therapy, this book gives you tools for each thing that drags you down.
The author believes every case of depression is different. It would be unreasonable to expect everyone to be cured after reading his book. So in the updated edition, he also includes a guide to antidepressant drug therapy and information about the many options for treating depression.
This book is most appropriate if you want to explore different treatment options and dont mind reading a book of more than 500 pages.
Control Your Depression By Peter Lewinsohn
Not everyone experiences depression the same way.
If you need a personalized plan to help you get better, this is the book for you. This book helps you identify specific pain points and provide a personalized program unique to your depression:
- Do you have problems dealing with others?
- Are you unhappy at work?
- Do you have issues with your relationship?
- Is negative thoughts bringing you down?
From there, you can then decide if you need additional help from a therapist or medication.
Sometimes, we may feel discouraged with our lack of progress in depression. Thats why this book is great because it helps you gauge your progress.
| eBook
Don’t Miss: How Can My Boyfriend Help Me With Depression
Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing The Way You Think By Dennis Greenberger Phd And Christine A Padesky Phd
Dont be fooled by your low mood! You are more than your negative emotions.
Through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, this book helps readers calm their mind and become more confident. Depression tends to have a negative ripple effect on all areas of life: relationships, career, physical health and so on. Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky outline how to set goals, become more mindful, and practice self-acceptance. Check out Mind Over Mood here.
Mending The Mind: The Art And Science Of Overcoming Clinical Depression By Oliver Kamm
Who: Kamm is a journalist whose severe clinical depression left him terrified of crowds and of being left alone, chronically insomniac and bleakly introspective. It also lead him to research and write this book.
Message: The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 250 million people globally live with depression but, says Kamm, its an illness as organic as, say, cancer it is treatable – and help is out there. But you need to go out and find it.
Top Tips: There isnt a one size fits all solution. In Kamms case CBT allowed him to change his thoughts which in turn changed his feelings. A sufferer from depression can be trained to anticipate when negative thoughts will arise and consciously adapt their thinking. It works.
Useful? The combination of Kamms up close and personal and investigative approaches make this both useful and insightful. Its also extremely intelligent, compassionate and well-written.
Also Check: How To Control Depression Thoughts
Mental: Everything You Never Knew You Needed To Know By Steve Ellen And Catherine Deveny
For: A great primer on the causes of mental illness and guides on helping people seek support.
Thinking of depression as exclusively a biological condition is only one part of the picture. When you see depression as a condition with biological, psychological, and social components, you can then think about treatment, management plans, and recovery as requiring a combination of biopsychosocial elements.
This holistic approach, which was first introduced by American psychiatrist George Engel, is clearly laid out in Mental, by psychiatrist Steve Ellen and comedian Catherine Deveny, who have both personally experienced depression .
While Mental deals with the causes of mental illness, it also acknowledges that it’s more important to focus on how to get help.
This includes a chapter on when and how to speak to a GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist, with an in-depth look at what to expect in a first appointment with a therapist and how you can prepare. It also provides a step-by-step guide for a family member or friend of someone with depression on how to have a conversation about seeking help.
If you’re wondering, they suggest something like: “I’d like to help, but I don’t want to intrude. You tell me how best I can help.”
Joan Mathews Larson Phd
While most books about battling depression are written by psychologists, Depression-Free, Naturally is written by a nutritionist. Joan Mathews Larson believes that depression and anxiety are both the result of various imbalances and deficiencies in the human body. Throughout her book, Larson offers tips for different foods, minerals, vitamins, and supplements for naturally boosting ones health and mind, thereby defeating depression for good.
Also Check: Why Do I Feel So Depressed In The Morning
Best Rated Self Help Books For Mental Health:
1. The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Cant Stand Positive Thinking
The book is written by Oliver Burkman, it is a self-help book that responds to people to look for a positive side. Oliver has written this book from an existential perspective. Throughout the book, Oliver explained to bury negative feelings and embrace positivity.
2. Against Depression
Author of Against Depression is Peter Kramer. Peter has used unusual statements such as denoting depression as a physical disease that needs to be cured. Peter has also provided recommendations to battle depression. It is one of the best self-help books.
3. Change your brain, Change your life
Change your brain, change your life is one of the bestselling books of Daniel G. Amen. Daniel has helped his readers to fight depression with the help of brain prescriptions. Meanwhile, the writer has shared tips for controlling anger and anxiety.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety: A Step-By-Step Program
The book is written by William J. Kanus and is one of the famous self-help books around the globe. The specialty of this book is the step-by-step program to recover from depression. This book is also used by psychologists as a workbook for evaluating the depression of patients.
5. Control Your Depression
6. Depression-Free, Naturally
7. The Depression Cure
8. The Depression Workbook
9. Full Catastrophe Living
10. Feeling Good
11. The CBT Toolbox: A Workbook for Clients and Clinicians
14. Hardcore Self Help
Getting To Good: A Guided Journal
Getting to Good: A Guided Journal by Elena Welsh, Ph.D. promises to bring happiness and positivity into your day, and is a great option for people who want to take an active role in their battle against depression but have grown tired of strict CBT workbooks. This option strikes a comfortable balance by encouraging the person journaling to gain some power and control over their symptoms by writing about their experiences and hopes for the future.
Journaling is a great way to explore symptoms and confront the feelings of depression, but sometimes people find the experience too daunting or monotonous.
To encourage movement towards feeling and functioning better, Welsh, a licensed clinical psychologist uses:
- Writing prompts, exercises, and reflections directed towards optimism and happiness
- Techniques and interventions derived from an eclectic mix of proven therapies like mindfulness, motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and CBT
- Strategies that promote thoughts and behaviors that focus on finding gratitude, finding the kindness and good in self and others, and appreciating the beauty in the world
Each page offers the reader something new, which helps deter boredom and journaling fatigue. Even people who have resisted journaling in the past could find something positive here.
Recommended Reading: Depressants Are Drugs That Are Used To Fight Depression
Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions
- Price: $$
You may know Russell Brand from his acting career, but the Get Him to The Greek star has paved a way for himself as a recovery advocate. In 2019, Brand debuted his book, Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions. His book provides lessons that can be applied to a variety of addictions, and provides steps for people with addiction and their loved ones to get the help they need.
Brand has openly battled with drug, sex, alcohol, fame, and food addictions. The comedian uses humor and compassion while weaving his own story of addiction with advice hes learned while in recovery. Rather than ask readers why they are addicted, he believes the real question should be: what pain is your addiction masking? Between Brands own revelations on the world and his personal plan of recovery, the actor provides a fresh perspective on moving past addiction.
Brand isnt a mental health professional but his experience may help readers feel less alone in their struggles.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that clinicians use to help patients manage problems by identifying patterns of thinking. This helps patients shift to a positive change in behavior.
This is a common part of a treatment plan to overcome depression and anxiety disorders . CBT techniques can also apply to other mental health conditions such as phobias, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder , and addiction.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness skills can even be used to help treat chronic pain by influencing the brain mechanisms that affect pain experience. Several studies have found that CBT improved pain and related problems for chronic pain patients. Further, there is evidence that female pain patients can stand to benefit from CBT intervention. This is due to their higher levels of empathy and more severe affective reactionsi.e. feelings of unpleasantness and other associated emotions to the intensity of their pain as CBT is effective in the treatment of emotional distress.
Also Check: Sleep Medication For Anxiety And Depression
Can Reading About Depression And Anxiety Actually Help You
I think this list of books will help you better understand depression and anxiety. But you might still be wondering: will they actually help me deal with my depression and anxiety?
Well, Id answer that with it depends.
I love books. I read them every single day. But if youre reading a book with the hopes that it will permanently fix you, then no, none of these books will help you.
Theres a fine line between reading a book to gain a new perspective on a problem and reading a book to simply avoid the problem by intellectualizing it.
You could read every single book ever published on money and personal finance. But if you dont apply that knowledge and save and invest your money, youll still be broke. Youll understand why youre broke really well, but youll still be broke.
This seems so obvious when it comes to more tangible outcomes like money or losing weight or whatever. But when it comes to our emotional and mental health, we often believe we can just think the problems away.
Getting your emotional and mental shit together is a lived experience. You have to face and endure the pain, not rationalize it away. You can do it with a therapist or a family member or a good friend. In some cases, you might be able to do it alone. But no matter what, it has to be done, not simply thought about and analyzed.
Theyll make the work a bit easier. But you still have to do the work.