20 Best Books About Mental Illness (2023 Update)

Jennette mccurdy details how she overcame harrowing struggles as a child tv star—including anorexia and bulimia, addiction, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and a traumatic relationship with her mother. a heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by icarly and sam & cat star jennette mccurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. jennette mccurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. so she went along with what mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. she endured extensive at-home makeovers while mom chided, “your eyelashes are invisible, okay? you think dakota fanning doesn’t tint hers?” she was even showered by mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income. in i’m glad my mom died, jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. cast in a new nickelodeon series called icarly, she is thrust into fame. though mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“hi gale!”), jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. these issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the icarly spinoff sam & cat alongside ariana grande, her mother dies of cancer. finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants. told with refreshing candor and dark humor, i’m glad my mom died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

As a founder of ucla's affective disorder clinic and a co-author of a standard medical text, dr. kay redfield jamison may be the foremost authority on manic-depressive illness. she is also one of its survivors. and it is this dual perspective – as healer and healed – that makes jamison's memoir so lucid, learned, and profoundly affecting.even as she was pursuing her psychiatric training, jamison found herself succumbing to the exhilarating highs and paralyzing lows that afflicted many of her patients. though the disorder brought her seemingly boundless energy and mercurial creativity, it also propelled her into spending sprees, episodes of violence, and an attempt at suicide. powerfully candid, exceptionally wise, an unquiet mind is one of those rare books that has the power to transform lives – and even save them.

The pace of life is making us exhausted. in his new book, national bestselling author dr. john delony provides a clear, five-step path to being well. – you'll learn how to: redefine what trauma is and how to identify it in your life. – grieve and heal from past hurt and trauma. – make friends as an adult–it's not easy, but it is necessary. – change your thoughts–it's possible. – assess and evaluate your actions–these can change too. – you'll laugh. you'll cry. your thoughts and actions will be challenged. and if you take the steps john outlines, you'll learn how to leave the past where it belongs and get on the path to healing.

Discover an empowering new way of understanding your multifaceted mind—and healing the many parts that make you who you are.is there just one “you”? yet dr. richard schwartz’s research now challenges this “mono-mind” theory. “all of us are born with many sub-minds—or parts,” says dr. “these parts are not imaginary or symbolic. they are individuals who exist as an internal family within us—and the key to health and happiness is to honor, understand, and love every part.” dr. schwartz’s internal family systems (ifs) model has been transforming psychology for decades. with no bad parts, you’ll learn why ifs has been so effective in areas such as trauma recovery, addiction therapy, and depression treatment—and how this new understanding of consciousness has the potential to radically change our lives. here you’ll explore: – the ifs revolution—how honoring and communicating with our parts changes our approach to mental wellness – overturning the cultural, scientific, and spiritual assumptions that reinforce an outdated mono-mind model – the ego, the inner critic, the saboteur—making these often-maligned parts into powerful allies – burdens—why our parts become distorted and stuck in childhood traumas and cultural beliefs – how ifs demonstrates human goodness by revealing that there are no bad parts – the self—discover your wise, compassionate essence of goodness that is the source of healing and harmony – exercises for mapping your parts, accessing the self, working with a challenging protector, identifying each part’s triggers, and moreifs is a paradigm-changing model because it gives us a powerful approach for healing ourselves, our culture, and our planet. as dr. schwartz teaches, “our parts can sometimes be disruptive or harmful, but once they’re unburdened, they return to their essential goodness.

"'this book fills a tremendous void…' wrote e. fuller torrey, m.d., about the first edition of i am not sick, i don't need help! twenty years later, it still does. dr. amador's research on poor insight was inspired by his success helping his brother henry, who had schizophrenia, accept treatment. like tens of millions of others diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and addictions, henry did not believe he was ill. in this latest edition, all chapters have been updated with new research on anosognosia (lack of insight) and much more detail on leap. readers will find expanded guidance on how to learn and use leap. new advice, relying on lessons learned from tens of thousands of leap seminar participants, is given to help readers quickly and effectively use dr. amador's method for helping someone accept treatment. is not just a reference for mental health practitioners and criminal justice professionals. it is a must-read guide for family members whose loved ones are battling mental illness and addictions.

At last, a groundbreaking, comprehensive program to help those with bipolar disorder– and those who care about them– gain permanent control over their lives. most people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are sent home with the name of a doctor and a bag of medications. however, only 20% of those with the illness are able to gain long term control over their lives with medication alone. fast, who was diagnosed with the illness at age 31, and specialist john preston, psy.d., have developed an effective program that helps readers promote stability, reduce the risk of suicide, increase work ability, decrease health care costs, and improve relationships. the book guides those with bipolar disorder and their loved ones toward a comprehensive personal treatment plan by incorporating: medications and supplementslifestyle changesbehavior modificationsguidelines on assembling an effective support team. by helping readers gather these powerful resources, take charge of bipolar disorder delivers a dynamic program to treat this dangerous, but ultimately manageable illness.

Please note a newer edition of this book is now available titled, dsm-5-tr insanely simplified: unlocking the spectrums within dsm-5-tr and icd-10the release of the diagnostic and statistical manual version 5 (dsm-5) marked one of the biggest changes to the field of mental health diagnosis in over 20 years. dsm-5 insanely simplified provides a summary of key concepts of the new diagnostic schema including a section on using icd-10. dsm-5 insanely simplified utilizes a variety of devices to help clinicians memorize complex criteria and ideas about the different diagnoses. cartoons, mnemonic devices, and summary tables allow clinicians and students to quickly grasp and retain broad concepts and subtle nuances related to psychiatric diagnosis. dsm-5 insanely simplified fosters quick mastery of the most important concepts introduced in dsm-5 while offering an entirely new way of looking at mental health along a continuum. this new approach avoids simply "labeling" clients, but rather places their symptoms along spectrums that range from normal to problematic. mental health professionals as well as laymen interested in a deeper understanding of emotional well-being will appreciate the synthesis of theoretical psychology and modern diagnosis. – dr. steven buser has taught principles of psychiatric diagnosis to medical students as well as psychiatry residents. his effort to provide an easy to remember schema led him to develop the idea of diagnoses along a spectrum long before dsm-5 introduced this concept. dsm-5 insanely simplified borrowed heavily from dr. buser's earlier efforts while making sure to incorporate specific changes that characterize the dsm-5. in addition to his current practice in addiction psychiatry, dr. buser is the publisher of chiron publications and is the co-founder of the asheville jung center. – dr. len cruz has been editing and writing for years. in collaboration with dr. buser, he wrote the manuscript for dsm-5 insanely simplified. he admits that over the years his tastes progressed from archie comics and mad magazine to freud for beginners. naturally, the opportunity to co-author a serious book on dsm-5 and icd-10 utilizing cartoons was irresistible. in addition to his practice of psychiatry, dr. cruz is the editor-in-chief of chiron publications and is the co-founder of the asheville jung center. – luke sloan was a 5th grade student in asheville, nc when he completed the illustrations for this book. when he's not drawing, luke enjoys playing soccer, reading books, snow-skiing, and just plain having fun! inner the apa did not participate in the preparation of this book.

“marie kondo, but for your brain.” —hellogiggles “compelling from front to back. highly recommend.” —marc andreessen reading this book could change your life. the courage to be disliked, already an enormous bestseller in asia with more than 3.5 million copies sold, demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be.is happiness something you choose for yourself? the courage to be disliked presents a simple and straightforward answer. using the theories of alfred adler, one of the three giants of nineteenth-century psychology alongside freud and jung, this book follows an illuminating dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. over the course of five conversations, the philosopher helps his student to understand how each of us is able to determine the direction of our own life, free from the shackles of past traumas and the expectations of others. rich in wisdom, the courage to be disliked will guide you through the concepts of self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering. it is a deeply liberating way of thinking, allowing you to develop the courage to change and ignore the limitations that you might be placing on yourself. this plainspoken and profoundly moving book unlocks the power within you to find lasting happiness and be the person you truly want to be. millions have already benefited from its teachings, now you can too.

This is the standard reference for clinical practice in the mental health field. since a complete description of the underlying pathological processes is not possible for most mental disorders, it is important to emphasize that the current diagnostic criteria are the best available description of how mental disorders are expressed and can be recognized by trained clinicians.

Dianetics has remained a bestseller for more than 50 years. and with over 20 million copies in print, generating a movement that spans over 100 nations its indisputably the most widely read and influential book ever written about the human mind. here is the anatomy and full description of the reactive mind, the previously unknown source of nightmares, unreasonable fears, upsets and insecurities which enslave man. this book shows you how to get rid of it and so achieve something man has previously only dreamed of: the state of clear.

Our toxic thoughts, depression and anxiety are frequently aggravated by our chaotic world, and they are sustained by an inability to manage our thought life. the author provides a 5-step, 63-day plan, the neurocycle, to find and eliminate the root of anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts in your life so you can experience dramatically improved mental and physical health.

From madness to mental health neither glorifies nor denigrates the contributions of psychiatry, clinical psychology, and psychotherapy, but rather considers how mental disorders have historically challenged the ways in which human beings have understood and valued their bodies, minds, and souls.greg eghigian has compiled a unique anthology of readings, from ancient times to the present, that includes hippocrates; julian of norwich's revelations of divine love, penned in the 1390s; dorothea dix; aaron t. beck; carl rogers; and others, culled from religious texts, clinical case studies, memoirs, academic lectures, hospital and government records, legal and medical treatises, and art collections. incorporating historical experiences of medical practitioners and those deemed mentally ill, from madness to mental health also includes an updated bibliography of first-person narratives on mental illness compiled by gail a.

In his new book, the author of the bestselling retrain your brain: cognitive behavioral therapy in 7 days delivers 10 easy, yet essential strategies for applying cbt to everyday issues with cognitive behavioral therapy made simple. cognitive behavioral therapy is a proven form of psychotherapy that is often the first-line of treatment recommended for managing depression, anxiety, worry, and other common issues. cognitive behavioral therapy made simple delivers a simplified approach to learning the most essential parts of cognitive behavioral therapy and applying them to your life. written by licensed psychologist and bestselling author seth gillihan, cognitive behavioral therapy made simple replaces workbook pages and technical language with quick and highly accessible cognitive behavioral therapy strategies that can be used on an as-needed basis. presented with simple and straightforward language, cognitive behavioral therapy made simple encourages readers to succeed with: practical explanations of 10 essential cbt principles-such as challenging negative thought patterns, behavioral activation, and overcoming procrastination-organized in a similar structure to in-person cognitive behavioral therapy supportive guidance for creating goals and outlining strategies to help yourself meet them helpful self-evaluation sections to help you track your progress and reflect on what you've learned using cognitive behavioral therapy for people who are interested in realizing the proven benefits of cbt, cognitive behavioral therapy made simple is a vital resource that will promote personal growth as you overcome challenges and improve your wellbeing.

Dr. el-rayes presents a program of a systematic approach to healing from depression, anxiety, and addiction, and a path to mental wellness to create a much happier and more fulfilling life. mental wellness goes beyond the concept of mental health -being free of a mental disorder. the program uses evidence-based practices and complements the medical services. it integrates the author's personal experience with the work of several renowned psychologists and psychiatrists, including abraham maslow, aaron beck, victor frankl, thomas hora, and others, as well as some of the ancient and contemporary philosophers. dr. el-rayes developed this program to help him heal and reach his potential. so far, the program has helped thousands of people. if you suffer from depression, anxiety, or addictions, this book will help you heal and guide you to become the best you. it will facilitate your self-transformation, and your journey to mental wellness. you will be able to learn more about yourself and discover the wonderful person you are, find your own way to spiritual growth, identify your life purpose, enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling life, and make a difference in the world.

Rich with compelling case material, this hands-on workbook helps mental health practitioners and students build essential skills for clinical evaluation and differential diagnosis. renowned diagnostician and bestselling author james morrison (dsm-5 made easy and other works) invites the reader to interview and evaluate 26 patients with a wide spectrum of presenting complaints and ultimate diagnoses. using multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank exercises, clinicians practice the arts of interviewing and making diagnostic decisions. the convenient large-size format facilitates use. extensive tables in the appendix provide a quick-reference guide to the interviewing techniques, diagnostic principles, and clinical diagnoses discussed in each case. see also morrison's dsm-5-tr made easy, which explains dsm diagnoses in clear language, illustrated with vivid case vignettes; diagnosis made easier, second edition, which offers principles and decision trees for integrating diagnostic information from multiple sources; and the first interview, fourth edition, which presents a framework for conducting thorough, empathic initial evaluations.

Acclaimed musical artist michelle williams shares the intimate, never-before-told story of how, even in the midst of enormous fame and success, she battled depression, leading her to find her true calling as an advocate for mental health–especially her own. as a member of destiny's child, one of the top female r&b groups of all time, michelle williams felt blessed. after the group disbanded, she continued to create bestselling albums, appear on television shows, and star in theater productions. though she had always struggled with low moods, in 2018 her depression deepened, and when she found herself planning her own funeral, she checked herself into a treatment facility. there she found the help she needed to live out the incredible story god was writing for her life. in her first book, michelle courageously shares the hidden secrets that nearly ended her life; the importance of her faith, family, and friends; and the lessons she learned about prioritizing her mental health. she is on a quest to increase mental health awareness and urges others to understand the importance of "checking in" with themselves, god, and others. her candid, often humorous, and incredibly brave book will inspire readers who desire hope for their own difficult times.

Mental illness loves to tell lies. mental health issues aren't a symptom of a spiritual failing or insufficient faith. in fact, suffering is the very thing our savior seeks to heal as he leads us toward restoration. and yet, as waller has experienced firsthand, the battle can be lonely and discouraging–but it doesn't have to be. – combining practical theology, clinical insights, and deep empathy, waller offers a rare mix of companionship and truth, inviting us to: have shame-free conversations about mental health – discover why self-knowledge is so important to a deep relationship with god – understand the intersection of biology, psychology, and spirituality – explore varying avenues of healing in community, therapy, and medication – be equipped to support loved ones while practicing self-care hope starts now. what prior generations considered taboo, the leaders of today and tomorrow consider essential. whether you're new to the conversation of mental health or intimately familiar with its complexities, waller's book has something for you. i can't wait for you to read this."–grant skeldon, author of the passion generation and next gen director at q

New york times bestsellerdiscover why millions rely on the #1 new york times best-selling medical medium for health answers and natural healing protocols they can’t find anywhere else to over 100 symptoms, nervous system diseases, and disorders. – the first of two essential books, in full color and over 600 pages, about our most complex organ—the brain—dives deep into why people all over the world are suffering with mental health and brain-related symptoms and conditions, and explains what to do to finally heal.“ after years of doctors being unable to diagnose, identify, or pinpoint our child’s gastrointestinal issues, anthony’s expertise and intuition led us to not only identifying the issue, but more importantly, anthony’s precise protocols have been the invaluable catalyst in our daughter’s healing, recovery, and her happiness…” — dwayne “the rock” johnson and lauren hashian – with all the advanced brain research today, why is there such a prevalence of: addictionadhdalsalzheimer’sanxietyautismbipolar disorder – brain fogburnoutdeficienciesdementiadepressioneating disordersfatiguelong-haul covidmental health struggles – ocdpanic attacksparkinson’sptsdseizuresstrokesvagus nerve problems…and beyond – as you search for lasting pain relief, it’s easy to become lost and blame yourself, wondering what you did wrong. answer: you’re not the problem. – medical medium brain saver is designed to serve you as a lifelong brain health reference book. in it, you’ll discover: what it means to have a static brain, an alloy brain, a viral brain, an emotional brain, inflamed cranial nerves, an addicted brain, an acid brain, and a burnt out, deficient brain—and what you can do about it the true causes of over 100 brain- and nervous system–related symptoms, disease, and disorders – in-depth insight into the unknown reasons for the epidemic of mental, emotional, and neurological suffering—from everyday struggles with focus, concentration, and mood to life-altering diagnoses. – how to protect your brain against alzheimer’s, ptsd, strokes, seizures, and more—before it’s too late – best of all, you’ll get specialized healing techniques and food recommendations. in addition to fresh perspective on how to nourish your brain and reduce your exposure to everyday toxins and contaminants, you’ll find cleanse protocols, heavy metal detox cleanse guidelines, and recipes for all-new medical medium brain shots therapy—quick hits of medicinals in liquid form, designed to bring instant relief when the brain is under particular stress. – and when you want even more healing options, you can turn to medical medium brain saver protocols, cleanses & recipes to take the essential information this book provides to a higher level.“ if you’ve been searching for direction about brain, neurological, or mental health, you’ve finally found the answers. whether you’re just starting out or your journey has taken you to multiple neurologists, internists, and functional medicine doctors, your time has come to discover the true cause of your suffering, move forward, and heal. – with medical medium brain saver and its companion volume, medical medium brain saver protocols, cleanses & recipes, anthony william shares never before heard knowledge about our brain and nervous system. – brain saver unveils the why behind more than 100 brain- and nervous system–related symptoms, diseases, and disorders; protocols reveals the truth about how to heal in even more detail. originally conceived as one life-saving book, brain saver had to be divided in two when it became too big to print. – each book now stands alone, so you can start with the one you need most—or read both for a full picture of your brain’s health.

New york times bestsellerdiscover why millions rely on the #1 new york times best-selling medical medium for health answers and natural healing protocols they can’t find anywhere else to over 100 symptoms, nervous system diseases, and disorders. – the first of two essential books, in full color and over 600 pages, about our most complex organ—the brain—dives deep into why people all over the world are suffering with mental health and brain-related symptoms and conditions, and explains what to do to finally heal.“ after years of doctors being unable to diagnose, identify, or pinpoint our child’s gastrointestinal issues, anthony’s expertise and intuition led us to not only identifying the issue, but more importantly, anthony’s precise protocols have been the invaluable catalyst in our daughter’s healing, recovery, and her happiness…” — dwayne “the rock” johnson and lauren hashian – with all the advanced brain research today, why is there such a prevalence of: addictionadhdalsalzheimer’sanxietyautismbipolar disorder – brain fogburnoutdeficienciesdementiadepressioneating disordersfatiguelong-haul covidmental health struggles – ocdpanic attacksparkinson’sptsdseizuresstrokesvagus nerve problems…and beyond – as you search for lasting pain relief, it’s easy to become lost and blame yourself, wondering what you did wrong. answer: you’re not the problem. – medical medium brain saver is designed to serve you as a lifelong brain health reference book. in it, you’ll discover: what it means to have a static brain, an alloy brain, a viral brain, an emotional brain, inflamed cranial nerves, an addicted brain, an acid brain, and a burnt out, deficient brain—and what you can do about it the true causes of over 100 brain- and nervous system–related symptoms, disease, and disorders – in-depth insight into the unknown reasons for the epidemic of mental, emotional, and neurological suffering—from everyday struggles with focus, concentration, and mood to life-altering diagnoses. – how to protect your brain against alzheimer’s, ptsd, strokes, seizures, and more—before it’s too late – best of all, you’ll get specialized healing techniques and food recommendations. in addition to fresh perspective on how to nourish your brain and reduce your exposure to everyday toxins and contaminants, you’ll find cleanse protocols, heavy metal detox cleanse guidelines, and recipes for all-new medical medium brain shots therapy—quick hits of medicinals in liquid form, designed to bring instant relief when the brain is under particular stress. – and when you want even more healing options, you can turn to medical medium brain saver protocols, cleanses & recipes to take the essential information this book provides to a higher level.“ if you’ve been searching for direction about brain, neurological, or mental health, you’ve finally found the answers. whether you’re just starting out or your journey has taken you to multiple neurologists, internists, and functional medicine doctors, your time has come to discover the true cause of your suffering, move forward, and heal. – with medical medium brain saver and its companion volume, medical medium brain saver protocols, cleanses & recipes, anthony william shares never before heard knowledge about our brain and nervous system. – brain saver unveils the why behind more than 100 brain- and nervous system–related symptoms, diseases, and disorders; protocols reveals the truth about how to heal in even more detail. originally conceived as one life-saving book, brain saver had to be divided in two when it became too big to print. – each book now stands alone, so you can start with the one you need most—or read both for a full picture of your brain’s health.

A compassionate guide to normalizing mental illness and achieving emotional wellbeing. – this is a guide to coping with a wide variety of mental unwellness, from the very mild to the severe. – with a humane, encouraging tone, the book teaches us to dismantle stigmas around mental health, arguing that no one should suffer alone. – an accessible guide to mental health and wellbeing. – thoroughly researched by the school of life's therapy department. – focuses on reframing mental unwellness through compassionate lens. compassionate normalization of anxiety, depression and trauma. – chapters include reasons to live, acceptance, love, community, psychotherapy, perspective and gratitude.