If you are dealing with depression and anxiety, here is a list of the best books on the subject.
Although I suffered from depression and anxiety for several years, you could hardly tell by looking at me.
Well, because I was good at pretending everything is okay, and, of course, my temperament played a role.
People like me, (introverts) tend to suffer from depression and anxiety quietly.
Others are more vocal about the mental struggle; they may discuss depression, anxiety, loneliness, or addiction, with loved ones but still feel misunderstood.
They get pats on the back, and the occasional “think positive thoughts” and “be grateful”!
If you are struggling with depression and anxiety and positive thinking isn’t working for you, these books will offer you long term practical advice to stir you out of the mental hole.
Additionally, the books are in no particular order; I encourage you to read the reviews on Amazon and decide what suits you best.
Here is the list of 10 books for overcoming depression and anxiety;
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Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, And Our Lives Revealed By Lori Gottlieb
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone will encourage you to take it one day at a time and unapologetically be yourself.
Through her sense of humor, Lori Gottlieb dives deep into the universal human mind not only as a therapist but also as a patient.
Her patients include; a self-absorbed Hollywood Producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, and a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better.
What you’ll learn is that although each story and patient is different, undeath, it all lies what makes us human.
When you are struggling with depression or anxiety, it helps to realize that you are not alone and that everything you feel is human.
In addition to realizing you are not alone, Lori’s sense of humor and storytelling will give you a good laugh.
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Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy By David Burns
In Feeling Good, David Burns covers everything about mental health, including; anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and “other black holes of depression.”
The book is highly rated on Amazon.
I suspect the book is popular because Burns offers scientifically proven techniques to lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life without medication.
Therefore if you are looking for a drug-free approach to anxiety and depression, this book is for you.
Additionally, Burns also discusses available drug-related treatments for those who want a medical alternative.
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The Noonday Demon: An Atlas Of Depression By Andrew Solomon
In the Noonday Demon, Andrew Solomon describes in alarming detail what it feels like to be depressed.
Additionally, he covers everything you would ever want to know about depression; he educates the reader about the medical and pharmacological treatments as well as cultural views on the subject.
In fact, according to Time magazine, Andrew Solomon wrote the masterpiece of depression.
The book is well written, and because Andrew himself struggled with depression, he does an excellent job explaining the complexities of living with the disease as well as describing the full range of novel treatments currently available.
You can get the book here.
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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma – Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk focuses on trauma in The Body Keeps Score.
The book does not focus on depression and anxiety per se, but from my experience, if you have been depressed for many years, you cannot rule out unresolved childhood trauma.
Whether you are a veteran struggling with mental health issues or grew up with adults who were violent, sexually abusive, or alcoholics, you might get a few helpful tips from this one.
The author explores innovative treatments that reactivate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to heal the trauma. These include; neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga.
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After Birth by Elisa Albert
After Birth is excellent for new mothers dealing with post-partum depression, the novel focuses on two women Ari and Mina.
Ari is isolated with a one-year-old son in a decayed upstate New York town, and Mina is a soon to be single mother (pregnant and alone) in the same city.
The two women connect and navigate the hostile terrain of new motherhood together.
In addition to the typical pregnancy blues, the novel takes you on a more profound journey into the challenges of new motherhood depression, loneliness, and dealing with the changes in a woman’s body.
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The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health – Emeran Mayer
In The Mind-Gut Connection, Emeran Mayer focuses on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and the food we eat.
Dr. Mayer shows how to keep the brain-gut communication clear and balanced.
Mayer advises us to heal the gut by focusing on a plant-based diet and balance the microbiome by consuming fermented foods and probiotics.
Additionally, he encourages fasting and cutting out sugar and processed food to create a happier mindset and reduce fatigue, moodiness, and depression.
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Self-compassion: The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself By Kristin Neff
It is common sense for most of us to be kind and have compassion for others, but we often forget to give ourselves that same compassion to ourselves.
In Self-compassion: The Proven Power Of Being Kind to Yourself, Dr. Neff throws out the self-esteem movement.
She instead offers exercises and action plans for dealing with the emotionally debilitating struggle of everyday living with compassion and kindness.
In short, get rid of excessive self-criticism and its adverse effects (self-pity, sadness, worthlessness, anxiety, etc.) and embrace kindness and compassion.
I think it is a must-read for anyone who is self-critical.
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Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviour – Mark Goulston, Philip Goldberg
In Get Out of Your Own Way, Goulston and Goldberg show us how to transform and overcome the most common self-defeating behaviors.
Some of them include; procrastination, envy, obsession, anger, self-pity, compulsion, neediness, guilt, rebellion, and inaction.
The book will help you learn to stop sabotaging your happiness.
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Get Out Of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Spencer Smith, Steven C. Hayes
In Get Out of Your Mind Into Your Life, Steven Hayes uses Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you overcome anxiety, depression, and excessive anger.
Hayes argues that the key to feeling better is to create a distinction between pain and suffering.
Additionally, the author encourages us to step into our pain instead of avoiding it and offers the tools you need to do it.
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Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal
I know how hard it can be to find something to be grateful for when you are depressed, but it does help even if it’s just one thing you can find.
Even when it feels dark, life can still be beautiful.
Good Days Start With Gratitude is a 52-week guide to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
It is a self-exploration journal that helps you focus on what is working, the big things in life, as well as the simple joys.
Last Thoughts
Living with depression and anxiety is not only debilitating, but it also affects every area of life. I know none of these books has all the answers, but it’s a start.
I also wrote an article you’ll find helpful on how the mind is built to sabotage our happiness and how you can begin building habits that support your mental and physical wellbeing.
If you have any other book suggestions that might be helpful to others, please leave a comment section below.
Love,
Sania.
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