20 Best Books For Mental Health (2023 Update)

International bestseller "smart, insightful, and warm. drawing on years of experience as a clinical psychologist, online sensation dr julie smith provides the skills you need to navigate common life challenges and take charge of your emotional and mental health in her debut book. filled with secrets from a therapist's toolkit, why has nobody told me this before teaches you how to fortify and maintain your mental health, even in the most trying of times. dr julie smith's expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient, whether you want to manage anxiety, deal with criticism, cope with depression, build self-confidence, find motivation, or learn to forgive yourself. why has nobody told me this before tackles everyday issues and offers practical solutions in bite-sized, easy-to-digest entries which make it easy to quickly find specific information and guidance. your mental well-being is just as important as your physical well-being. packed with proven strategies, dr. julie's empathetic guide offers a deeper understanding of how your mind works and gives you the insights and help you need to nurture your mental health every day. wise and practical, why has nobody told me this before might just change your life.

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.

Let bestselling author and neuroscientist dr. caroline leaf help you change your life by changing your mind with 101 simple ways to reduce stress.

From the author of the national bestseller feeling good: the new mood therapy comes a guide to mental wellness that helps you get beyond depression and anxiety and make life an exhilarating experience! with his phenomenally successful feeling good: the new mood therapy, dr. david burns introduced a groundbreaking, drug-free treatment for depression. in this bestselling companion, he reveals powerful new techniques and provides step-by-step exercises that help you cope with the full range of everyday problems. – free yourself from fears, phobias, and panic attacks. – overcome self-defeating attitudes. – discover the five secrets of intimate communication. – put an end to marital conflict. – conquer procrastination and unleash your potential for success. with everything you need to know about commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs and anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this remarkable guide can show you how to feel good about yourself and the people you care about. you will discover that life can be an exhilarating experience. “a wonderful achievement—the best in its class.”—m. anthony bates, clinical psychologist at penn presbyterian medical center in philadelphia “clear, systematic, forceful.”—albert ellis, phd, president of the albert ellis institute

This book has the power to change your life. what do you want to change? relationships. discover what can cause relationships to end up nothing like they started – and how to overcome sabotaging factors such as jealousy and fighting. – unhappy moods. what causes feelings of deep depression or even just "feeling down"? understand this and control your own mood rather than the other way around. more success. whether it's success on the job or in life – you can reach your full potential. stress and self-doubt. there is a source of such crippling problems and you can get rid of it.find out why dianetics is the all-time self-help bestseller. this fascinating easy to read book takes you on an adventure of self-discovery that finds and eliminates the hidden problems that may be holding you back. get rid of them! have a positive attitude towards life – believe in yourself – live life to the fullest – be truly happy – achieve your full potential – buy this book, read it, use it. – a bestseller for more than 50 yearsdianetics 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, it's 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. – among the discoveries herein: the goal of man – the dynamic principle of existence–the one word that motivates all living things – the four dynamics–the drives upon which all of life is compartmented – the descriptic graph of survival–revealing one's true potential and how to achieve it – the discovery of and complete anatomy of the reactive mind – the painful experiences–engrams–contained in the reactive mind which command one to act irrationally against their own wishes and goals – the impact of prenatal engrams–what took place before you were born and how it's influenced you ever since – the complete dianetics procedure to discover and eradicate these harmful experiences so they never affect you again, revealing the one person you've always wanted to know–you. – what's holding you back? if you've ever felt there was something holding you back in life, ruining your plans and stopping you from being who you want to be, you were right. – the fact is, there is a single source of all your unhappiness, problems, stress and self-doubt. it's called the reactive mind — the hidden part of your mind that stores all painful experiences, then uses them against you. – dianetics gets rid of the reactive mind. it's the only thing that does. – with over 20,000,000 copies in 50 languages, and used in more than 150 nations, dianetics brings dramatic and permanent improvement to people all over the world. – dianetics: the modern science of mental health – quality paperback edition, which gives the complete anatomy of the single source of all unhappiness, stress and negative feelings, and the technology to get rid of it. – there's only one way to find out if the dianetics procedure is everything millions of people say it is. read the book! dianetics can help you achieve: * higher intelligence* creative imagination* amazing vitality* good memory* strong willpower* radiant health* magnetic personality* good self-control results from application: "i suffered for years, ever since i was a kid, from sinus pressure. it would get so bad, i couldn't even bend over to pick up a pencil!" and as a result, i'd have migraine headaches." dianetics handled the source of my headaches – the reactive mind." i can't explain the feeling that i had at that time. the pressure just blew. i could feel it come off my face and it was such a relief." i walked around for months thinking, 'okay, when is it going to come back? when is it going to start?' it never did. it was just gone."- k. f. "my marriage was headed for divorce. c. l." dianetics enabled me to realize my potentials and find the success i had always sought." k.b., top investment counselor"when i was 14 my life became an uphill struggle. a severe injury left me with a crippling back pain 24 hours a day. i was told i would require treatment for the rest of my life and i wold have to live with the pain. over the next 12 years, i iooked everywhere for a solution. i even became a doctor of chiropractic, but still nothing could make the pain stop. finally, i tried dianetics, and i found that the pain was being caused by the reactive mind. within a few hours i stood up and, for the first time in 12 years, the pain was gone. dianetics has the answers!" s.p., doctor of chiropractic"i had a terrible accident and fractured my neck, and as a result was in a terrific amount of pain. the doctors did everything that they could to try and handle it, and while my neck did heal, the pain persisted. i began to take drugs to suppress the pain, and i became hooked on drugs. that was the end of my motorcycle racing career." then i found dianetics and i found that the pain was in fact coming from the reactive mind, because dianetics handled it. and i was no longer hooked on drugs when the pain was gone. "i started racing motorcycles again – this was ten years after the accident – and i went right to the top in racing motorcycles here in the united states. then i began training others and in fact i've trained ten of the last twelve national superbike champions. none of this would ever have happened it it wasn't for dianetics." k.c., champion motorcycle racing instructor

"'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.

In the precipice of mental health, achea redd shares her personal battle with mental illness and helps readers understand that there is a path to help and healing for those who are suffering, struggling, and stressed. the mental health crisis is worse than ever: in an age of increasing isolation, insecurity, and loss, people are suffering, and not everyone is able to afford or access the help that they need. mental health activist achea redd wants to change that, because for her, it’s personal. though redd seemingly led a charmed life as the daughter of a pastor and wife of nba legend and former olympian michael redd, the mother of two battled debilitating mental illness and is determined to help others overcome their own trauma and mental health struggles to thrive—all while knowing and acknowledging that it’s ok to not be ok. in this remarkably reflective story about the societal issues of mental health, redd opens up and shares a broader perspective through her journey through depression, anxiety, and atypical anorexia, including the impact that covid-19 and its variants imparted on her battle, to prevent others from reaching the precipice of mental health. through her own personal experiences in the trenches of her own mental health struggles, including eating disorders, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation, redd reveals raw and valuable insight that will help readers understand themselves and others who suffer from mental illness—and let them know that their mental illness does not define them. as redd says, “anxiety and depression are what i have. they are not who i am.” redd taps into topics that are not commonly spoken of, but are necessary for managing mental health, to ensure those struggling feel seen and understood. the precipice of mental health offers encouragement to seek the proper and necessary help to a path of healing and understanding before it's too late: it’s important for readers to know that things can and will get better, and it’s just as important for them to know that they aren’t alone.

If you or someone you love is affected by mental illness, it might change your life. but what causes mental illness? and why are mental health problems so hard to treat? drawing on decades of research, harvard psychiatrist dr. chris palmer outlines a revolutionary new understanding that for the first time unites our existing knowledge about mental illness within a single framework: mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. brain energy explains this new understanding of mental illness in detail, from symptoms and risk factors to what is happening in brain cells. palmer also sheds light on the new treatment pathways this theory opens up—which apply to all mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, adhd, alcoholism, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, autism, and even schizophrenia. brain energy pairs cutting-edge science with practical advice and strategies to help people reclaim their mental health. this groundbreaking book reveals: why classifying mental disorders as “separate” conditions is misleading – the clear connections between mental illness and disorders linked to metabolism, including diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, pain disorders, obesity, alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy – the link between metabolism and every factor known to play a role in mental health, including genetics, inflammation, hormones, neurotransmitters, sleep, stress, and trauma – the evidence that current mental health treatments, including both medications and therapies, likely work by affecting metabolism – new treatments available today that readers can use to promote long-term healing palmer puts together the pieces of the mental illness puzzle to provide answers and offer hope. brain energy will transform the field of mental health, and the lives of countless people around the world.

“pollan keeps you turning the pages . . . cleareyed and assured.” —new york timesa #1 new york times bestseller, new york times book review 10 best books of 2018, and new york times notable book a brilliant and brave investigation into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs–and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences when michael pollan set out to research how lsd and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. but upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. thus began a singular adventure into various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists inadvertently catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research.a unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, how to change your mind is a triumph of participatory journalism. by turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world.

“pollan keeps you turning the pages . . . cleareyed and assured.” —new york timesa #1 new york times bestseller, new york times book review 10 best books of 2018, and new york times notable book a brilliant and brave investigation into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs–and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences when michael pollan set out to research how lsd and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. but upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. thus began a singular adventure into various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists inadvertently catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research.a unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, how to change your mind is a triumph of participatory journalism. by turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world.

In the body keeps the score, dr. bessel van der kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. he explores innovative treatments–from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga–that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. based on dr. van der kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, the body keeps the score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal–and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

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.

In this completely revised and updated edition of the breakthrough bestseller that's sold nearly a million copies worldwide, you'll see scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures work in your brain. you're not stuck with the brain you're born with. renowned neuropsychiatrist dr daniel amen includes new, cutting-edge research gleaned from more than 100,000 spect brain scans over the last 25 years and the latest, surprising, effective 'brain prescriptions' that can help heal your brain and change your life. this book offers simple techniques which will help you to: quell anxiety and panic; fight depression; boost memory; conquer impulsiveness and learn to focus; and stop obsessive worrying.

The #1 new york times bestseller the sunday times bestseller 'if lepera's instagram feed is full of aha moments illuminating the inner workings of your psyche, the revelations in the book are more like a full firework display.' red magazine 'this book is a must-read for anyone on a path of personal growth.' gabby bernstein, author of number one new york times bestsellers super attractor and the universe has your back 'the book i wish i had read in my twenties.' elizabeth day, author of how to fail 'how to do the work will transform how you see yourself and your ability to change. i believe this book could change lives, if not the world.' holly bourne, bestselling author of how do you like me now? 'want more from life? looking for answers? how to do the work will teach you how to find them within yourself. a masterpiece of empowerment – this book changed my life and, trust me, it'll change yours too.' mel robbins, author of the 5 second rule as a clinical psychologist, dr nicole lepera found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. wanting more for her patients – and for herself – she began a journey to develop a united philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual health that equips people with the tools necessary to heal themselves. after experiencing the life-changing results herself, she began to share what she'd learned with others – and the holistic psychologist was born. now dr lepera is ready to share her much-requested protocol with the world. in how to do the work, she offers both a manifesto for self-healing and an essential guide to creating a more vibrant, authentic, and joyful life. unless addressed, these self-sabotaging behaviours can quickly become cyclical, leaving people feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and unwell. in how to do the work, dr lepera offers readers the support and tools that will allow them to break free from destructive behaviours to reclaim and recreate their lives.

Elyn saks is a success by any measure: she's an endowed professor at the prestigious university of southern california gould school of law. she has managed to achieve this in spite of being diagnosed as schizophrenic and given a "grave" prognosis–and suffering the effects of her illness throughout her life. saks was only eight, and living an otherwise idyllic childhood in sunny 1960s miami, when her first symptoms appeared in the form of obsessions and night terrors. but it was not until she reached oxford university as a marshall scholar that her first full-blown episode, complete with voices in her head and terrifying suicidal fantasies, forced her into a psychiatric hospital. saks would later attend yale law school where one night, during her first term, she had a breakdown that left her singing on the roof of the law school library at midnight. she was taken to the emergency room, force-fed antipsychotic medication, and tied hand-and-foot to the cold metal of a hospital bed. she spent the next five months in a psychiatric ward. so began saks's long war with her own internal demons and the equally powerful forces of stigma. today she is a chaired professor of law who researches and writes about the rights of the mentally ill. she is married to a wonderful man. in the center cannot hold, elyn saks discusses frankly and movingly the paranoia, the inability to tell imaginary fears from real ones, and the voices in her head insisting she do terrible things, as well as the many obstacles she overcame to become the woman she is today. it is destined to become a classic in the genre.

New york times bestseller – in this completely revised and updated edition, neuropsychiatrist dr. daniel amen includes effective "brain prescriptions" that can help heal your brain and change your life.“ perfection in combining leading-edge brain science technology with a proven, user-friendly, definitive, and actionable road map to safeguard and enhance brain health and functionality.”—david perlmutter, m.d., new york times bestselling author of grain brain in change your brain, change your life, renowned neuropsychiatrist daniel amen, m.d., includes new, cutting-edge research gleaned from more than 100,000 spect brain scans over the last quarter century and scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures work in your brain. amen’s “brain prescriptions” will help you: – to quell anxiety and panic: use simple breathing techniques to immediately calm inner turmoil – to fight depression: learn how to kill ants (automatic negative thoughts) and use supplements targeted to your brain type – to curb anger: follow the amen anti-anger diet and learn the nutrients that calm rage – to boost memory: learn the specific steps and habits to decrease your risk for alzheimer’s disease that can help you today – to conquer impulsiveness and learn to focus: develop total focus with the one-page miracle – to stop obsessive worrying: follow the “get unstuck” writing exercise and learn other problem-solving exercises you’re not stuck with the brain you’re born with.

New york times bestseller – in this completely revised and updated edition, neuropsychiatrist dr. daniel amen includes effective "brain prescriptions" that can help heal your brain and change your life.“ perfection in combining leading-edge brain science technology with a proven, user-friendly, definitive, and actionable road map to safeguard and enhance brain health and functionality.”—david perlmutter, m.d., new york times bestselling author of grain brain in change your brain, change your life, renowned neuropsychiatrist daniel amen, m.d., includes new, cutting-edge research gleaned from more than 100,000 spect brain scans over the last quarter century and scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures work in your brain. amen’s “brain prescriptions” will help you: – to quell anxiety and panic: use simple breathing techniques to immediately calm inner turmoil – to fight depression: learn how to kill ants (automatic negative thoughts) and use supplements targeted to your brain type – to curb anger: follow the amen anti-anger diet and learn the nutrients that calm rage – to boost memory: learn the specific steps and habits to decrease your risk for alzheimer’s disease that can help you today – to conquer impulsiveness and learn to focus: develop total focus with the one-page miracle – to stop obsessive worrying: follow the “get unstuck” writing exercise and learn other problem-solving exercises you’re not stuck with the brain you’re born with.

#1 national bestseller #1 international bestsellerwhat does everyone in the modern world need to know? renowned psychologist jordan b. peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.humorous, surprising and informative, dr. peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.what does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? why did ancient egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? what dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 rules for life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

Are you truly in danger or has your brain simply "tricked" you into thinking you are? in the worry trick, psychologist and anxiety expert david carbonell shows how anxiety hijacks the brain and offers effective techniques to help you break the cycle of worry, once and for all.anxiety is a powerful force. it makes us question ourselves and our decisions, causes us to worry about the future, and fills our days with dread and emotional turbulence. based in acceptance and commitment therapy (act) and cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), this book is designed to help you break the cycle of worry.worry convinces us there's danger, and then tricks us into getting into fight, flight, or freeze mode–even when there is no danger. the techniques in this book, rather than encouraging you to avoid or try to resist anxiety, shows you how to see the trick that underlies your anxious thoughts, and how avoidance can backfire and make anxiety worse.if you're ready to start observing your anxious feelings with distance and clarity–rather than getting tricked once again–this book will show you how.

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.