[MatBell]

What is the best literature you have read on or about depression. Could be textbook/memoir/biography and so on. I have read a lot but am always looking for something new. It helps me to read about other people’s experiences and makes me feel better about myself.

[mote.of.soul]

Hi MatBell,

I can't say I've read a single book devoted to depression but I've always wanted to read a biography about Winston Churchill. I guess you've heard of him: long career in British politics, and successfully lead Britain through one of the darkest chapters in their history - World War Two. He was inspirational in that regard and he also suffered through his life with depression. I believe he was quite open about it.

Anyway, just a suggestion.

Wishing you peace on your journey, MatBell.

[MickeyCheeky]

((((MatBell)))) Have you tried "Feeling Good" by David Burns?

[Naynay99]

Hey. I went thru a mental illness book and memoir phase early on in my depression, haven’t read anything in a long time but these two memoirs were good in my opinion. They are not new though.

-“Darkness visible” by William Styron- excellent memoir on severe depression.
-“The Beast: A Journey Through Depression” by Tracy Thomson- well written account of a journalists depression.

Just mke sure you are in the right frame of mind to read a depression memoir- they made me feel better bc it was reassuring to me that other ppl experienced what I was going through, but I could see how they might be triggering to some ppl.
My mom was horrified after reading “the beast” and asked me if that’s what it was like for me, and she is a nurse who is familiar w depression, so I think it was very honest.

[MatBell]

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

Hi MatBell,


I can't say I've read a single book devoted to depression but I've always wanted to read a biography about Winston Churchill. I guess you've heard of him: long career in British politics, and successfully lead Britain through one of the darkest chapters in their history - World War Two. He was inspirational in that regard and he also suffered through his life with depression. I believe he was quite open about it.


Anyway, just a suggestion.


Wishing you peace on your journey, MatBell.

Thank you. Yes might seek out a biography of him.

[MatBell]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

((((MatBell)))) Have you tried "Feeling Good" by David Burns?

Haven’t tried that one. Thanks!

[MatBell]

Originally Posted by Naynay99

Hey. I went thru a mental illness book and memoir phase early on in my depression, haven’t read anything in a long time but these two memoirs were good in my opinion. They are not new though.


-“Darkness visible” by William Styron- excellent memoir on severe depression.

-“The Beast: A Journey Through Depression” by Tracy Thomson- well written account of a journalists depression.


Just mke sure you are in the right frame of mind to read a depression memoir- they made me feel better bc it was reassuring to me that other ppl experienced what I was going through, but I could see how they might be triggering to some ppl.

My mom was horrified after reading “the beast” and asked me if that’s what it was like for me, and she is a nurse who is familiar w depression, so I think it was very honest.

I really liked “Darkness Visible”. I will check out “The Beast”. Sounds good

[LostOnTheTrail]

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig is a stellar book. It spoke to me through a very difficult time.

Possible trigger:

Explicit mention of suicidal ideation within the first few pages, though.

[MatBell]

Originally Posted by LostOnTheTrail

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig is a stellar book. It spoke to me through a very difficult time.

Possible trigger:

Explicit mention of suicidal ideation within the first few pages, though.

Yes I really liked it too. Have his next book too that should be a bit of the same.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by LostOnTheTrail

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig is a stellar book. It spoke to me through a very difficult time.

Possible trigger:

Explicit mention of suicidal ideation within the first few pages, though.

[piggy momma]

I really liked An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison.

Also The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns is very helpful for CBT-based strategies.

[mugwort2]

IMO the best book for depression in helping with depression is Planned Optimism. Martin Seligman By what people do to help stop feeling depressed. In a nutshell if you'll pardon that expression much of depression is how you look at life. IOW its cognitive therapy.