Share self-help books that have worked for you

[Bossy Monkey]

I know I'm not the only one here who hasn't been particularly helped by psychiatric medications, 'cause there's a thread about same roughly every two weeks. I'm about ready just to quit on them. When you've tried more than 10 different medications with limited success (or side effects worse than the benefits), it's about time to decide that mild depression isn't really so bad. Anyways, just wanted to share that "Learned Optimism" by Martin EP Seligman is a terrific book. I couldn't really put his suggestions into practice in my life that successfully, but just the dawn of hope that life could be better was enough to brighten my days pretty markedly (once I was done crying like a baby, that is).

So what books have helped you, fellow DU depressives? Non self-help suggestions are of course welcome too.

[Khephra]

1. Not quite a self-improvement book

But I have to throw out "Prometheus Rising" by Robert Anton Wilson.

[toddzilla]

2. several

i'd say "you can't afford the luxury of a negative thought" and life 101, by john-rogers. it has some awesome quotes in it as well as some really good life lessons about figuring out what matters and what doesn't..


you also might want to look into homeopathy for depression, i have taken many pharmecuetical antidepressants and they all suck, i'm about to start on some homeopathic stuff cause i've given up on the "traditional" approaches..

[mkregel]

3. "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Milman

A bit new-agey, but it worked for me.

"Self Matters" by Dr. Phil worked for my wife, she says. I can't get over his Texan accent - so there's no way I could read that (no offense to the Texans out there.) I should because he is, after all, one of us.

[OneBlueSky]

8. I concur . . .

and there are several other Milman books worth reading as well . . .

[Bunny]

13. I like Dr. Phil

I don't care what anyone thinks of him - I like the guy. He forces you to face reality. Self Matters is a good book. The jury is still out on whether it has helped my any, though...

[Champion Jack]

4. The Book of the SuBGenius

try it

[enough]

5. "Start Where You Are"

By
Pema Chodron

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. The Holy Bible

I've been diagnosed with clinical depression-- looking back, it's been a part of me almost since childhood. So I know how incredibly hard it can be to find a solution.

This one happened to work for me. I hope you find a path that works for you.

[nuxvomica]

7. The Magic of Believing

I don't know the author. I read it in my youth and it's philosophy got me through some bad times. I would probably cringe to read it now.

[OneBlueSky]

9. "Original Blessing" by Matthew Fox

Matt Fox is a former Catholic priest who was silenced by Rome, left the church, and is now an Episcopal priest (I think) . . . his work turns traditional Christian teachings on their head, particularly the notion of original sin . . . some of the language is a little ecclesiastical, but the message and the overall scope of his work is remarkable . . .

[Bossy Monkey]

10. Thanks all

Also I forgot Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. (Self-help? Novel? Autobiography? All of the above, I guess, but it helped.)

[GOPisEvil]

11. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama.

I need to read it again; I've been a little unhappy lately. Reading the DL always puts me in a positive frame of mind.

[supernova]

12. The Highly Sensitive Person

by Elaine Aron.

It helped me reorient myself and not worry that I enjoyed spending time alone, and indeed need to if I'm to be at my best to enjoy others. THSP helped me to learn to achieve the right balance for me in my life.

[Bossy Monkey]

14. The rare uncynical, un-self-serving kick

'cause I think it was a nice idea

[CBHagman]

15. "Love Is a Choice"

It presents the recovery movement from a Christian perspective. While it's not progressive enough for my belief (i.e., they're still a little too patriarchal for my taste), it is a very fair, balanced and helpful approach to dealing with dysfunctional relationships.

I always say there's a dysfunctional way to do everything -- relate to family members, practice Christianity, diet, etc. -- and this book helps you abandon the crushing, mind-warping beliefs that keep you out of recovery. It's a very general book, as it deals with eating disorders, abusive relationships, dysfunctional Christianity, excessive debt, etc.

I also like Theodore Isaac Rubin's "Compassion and Self-Hate."