Top 11 Books for Depression that will Inspire You

Depression is a mental health condition that plagues many people all over the world. It can be incredibly difficult to cope with, and sometimes it feels like there is no way out. Depression can range from mild depression to severe depression.

Depression can leave you feeling drained and hopeless. It can be difficult to find the motivation to get out of bed in the morning, complete work and even take care of our basic needs.

However, there are many books whether inspirational or self help books that can offer hope and inspiration to those who are struggling with depression.
In this article, we will discuss eleven of the best books that can help combat depression, and why they deserve a spot on your reading list.

What is depression and what are the symptoms?

Depression is a mental illness that is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and more. Mental health issues

Mental health issues can develop for a variety of reasons. Often, there is no one specific cause that can be identified. Some possible causes of mental health issues can include genetics, past trauma and environmental factors.

Depression can range from mild to severe, and can have a major impact on our ability to function in everyday life. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but typically last for two weeks or longer. Some coping strategies include making strong connections, talk therapy, reading, journaling and increase physical activity.

People who are suffering from depression may experience a number of common symptoms, including:

 

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite, leading to weight gain or loss
• Anxiety and irritability
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

What are the top 11 Books for Depression?

• The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Out of the Cave: Stepping into the light when depression darkens what you see by Chris Hodges
• Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for Managing Depression and Anxiety by Seth J Gillihan, PHD
• The things I didn’t say in therapy by Logan Duane
• Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith
• A Gentle Reminder by Bianca Sparacino

 

Now lets talk about these books in more detail

 

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Summary

Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises is often classified as a “lost generation” story, as it follows a group of American and British expatriates who travel to Spain to be part of the Bullfighting culture in Pamplona.

These characters are all struggling with some sort of internal conflict, which is only compounded by the death and destruction they witness during the course of the novel.

While Hemingway does not shy away from the darker aspects of human nature, he also captures the beauty and romance of Spain. In doing so, he creates a timeless story about love, loss, and coming of age.

The take away

The message I took away from this book is that we are all attempting to get out of some sort of suffering, whether we realize it or not.

Most of spend our entire lives searching for satisfaction, happiness or contentment in things that will never provide it, leaving us feel depressed, unsuccessful and without purpose.

This allows us to re-evaluate whats important to us, what real happiness is and focus on attaining those things bringing joy and fulfillment.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Summary

Be prepared to get emotional when you read this book about a man named Mitch Albom, a successful sports journalist, reconnects with his college professor Morrie Schwartz after learning Schwartz is dying from ALS.

Morrie offers to teach Mitch about life in his final weeks, and they meet for Tuesday discussions which span over the course of several months.

In their talks, Morrie shares wisdom about living a fulfilling life, including the importance of love, forgiveness, and giving back. As the two men grow closer, Mitch begins to see the world through new eyes and realizes the impact he’s had on others – and how much he still has to offer.

The take away

One of the most important messages in this book is that it’s never too late to learn and grow. Even as Schwartz nears death, he is still able to teach Albom valuable lessons about life that help him become a better person.

This book is a reminder that we should always be open to learning from those around us, no matter how old we are or what we may think we know.

 

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Summary

In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl recounts his experiences as a prisoner in concentration camps during World War II. He tells the story of how he and other prisoners were able to find meaning in their lives even in the most dire of circumstances, and how that meaning ultimately helped them survive.

Frankl argues that the search for meaning is a fundamental human need, and that everyone has the potential to find it in their lives.

The take away

The biggest take away from Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is that it is possible to find meaning in even the darkest of times.

Frankl shows us that it is possible to find happiness and satisfaction even in the midst of suffering and turmoil, as long as we are open to looking for it. This is an important lesson that can help us get through difficult times with a bit more hope and courage.

 

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

Summary

In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck argues that the journey to personal growth and happiness is not an easy one, but it is well worth the effort.

He offers a variety of techniques and advice for those who are willing to face up to their own limitations and work to overcome them. Peck believes that the key to a fulfilling life is to live in accordance with our own values and principles, rather than those of society or others.

The take away

This book is all about personal growth and becoming the best possible version of ourselves. Peck provides a lot of useful advice for anyone who is looking to make changes in their life, including how to confront our fears and deal with our negative emotions.

He also emphasizes the importance of having a strong sense of self-awareness, which can help us stay on track when things get tough.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Summary

The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago, a young man who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. One day, he meets a mysterious old man who tells him that the treasure is not something that can be found with money or violence, but rather through personal growth and enlightenment.

Santiago decides to follow the old man’s advice and embarks on a journey to find his own treasure. Along the way, he learns about the power of intuition, the importance of following his dreams, and the importance of believing in himself.

The take away

The biggest message in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is that we all have the ability to find our own personal treasure. Coelho encourages us to follow our dreams and stay true to ourselves, no matter what others may say or think. He believes that if we are brave enough to pursue our passions, we will find happiness and fulfillment in life.

 

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Summary

In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle argues that the key to happiness and fulfillment is to live in the present moment. He believes that most of our unhappiness comes from our tendency to dwell on the past or worry about the future, rather than focusing on what is happening right now.

Tolle offers a variety of techniques for living in the present moment, including mindfulness and meditation. He also stresses the importance of being in touch with our own thoughts and emotions, and avoiding judgment or criticism of ourselves or others.

The take away

The main message in The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is that we need to learn to live in the present moment if we want to be happy and fulfilled.

Tolle provides a lot of helpful advice for doing this, including tips on mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness. He also urges us to avoid getting caught up in negative thoughts and emotions, and instead focus on the present moment.

 

Out of the Cave: Stepping into the light when depression darkens what you see by Chris Hodges

Summary

Out of the Cave by Chris Hodges provides a story of hope and inspiration for people who feel stuck in their depression and often ashamed by this perceived darkness within themselves.

This book is unique in that it addresses the connection between mental health and religion. In my almost 10 years of practice, this has been a huge barrier to clients seeking help.

Many people who follow a religion, often feel that if you truly have God in your life you shouldn’t experience depression and simply praying will cure it. Although this book is specifically based on Christianity, I believe the message can be useful across all religions

The take away

The book gives those individuals permission and courage to admit to what they may be going through and seek help in getting through those dark times.

It also assures them that their mental health does not mean they are not loved by their higher power but instead strengthens their ability to overcome depression and step into the light. 

 

Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for Managing Depression and Anxiety by Seth J Gillihan, PHD

Summary

As a licensed psychotherapist, I tend to lean towards books with evidenced based practices, and this is one of them. This piece of work acts as a workbook and reads like a book through its simplified explanation of what cognitive behavioral therapy is and how it has been a proven method to treating depression.

This book is great for anyone who wants to learn about depression and also gain specific tools to treat it. 

The take away

This book unlike the others on the list is for someone who doesn’t just want to be inspired for change but also wants to learn and practice evidenced based tools to treat depression.

The main message of Retrain Your Brain by Seth Gillihan is that our thoughts and emotions play a major role in our overall well-being.

Gillihan provides practical exercises and practical advice in the seven-week program for retraining our brains using CBT, which includes exercises for monitoring our thoughts and emotions, challenging our negative beliefs, and changing our behaviors.

 

The things I didn’t say in therapy is a memoir by Logan Duane.

Summary

The things I didn’t say in therapy is a collection of poetry by the author, describing her most vulnerable and uncomfortable thoughts that many are even too afraid to share with their therapist.

Aside from helping you to feel like you’re not alone, this book will stir emotions and create discomfort necessary for the healing process to begin.

Duane is a therapist who was sexually abused by his father as a child. The book is about Duane’s journey of healing and recovery. Duane shares his story of abuse, as well as his struggles with addiction and depression. He also discusses his experiences with therapy and how it helped him to heal.

The take away

The Things I Didn’t Say in Therapy is that it is important to share your story and to have courage to face your fears. Duane’s story is one of healing and resilience, and it can inspire others to face their own challenges.

This book is a great read for anyone who is interested in therapy, as well as those who are interested in personal stories of healing and recovery.

 

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith 

Summary

This heartwarming book feels embracing and warm in its story and educational in its message. This book looks at mental health as a whole, explores daily stressors that often lead to depression and provides coping tools to take care of your mental health on a daily basis. 

In Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, Dr. Julie Smith discusses the four most important things that she wishes someone had told her when she was going through a tough time.

These four things are: 1) You are not alone, 2) It’s going to be okay, 3) You are deserving of love and care, and 4) Everything is temporary. Dr. Smith provides advice for how to deal with difficult situations and offers encouragement for those who are struggling. She also discusses the importance of self-care and provides tips for how to take care of yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed.

The take away

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? is a great read for anyone who is struggling with depression or anxiety. The book offers encouragement and advice for how to deal with difficult situations. It is also a great read for anyone who is interested in self-care.

 

A Gentle Reminder by Bianca Sparacino

Summary

 As the title suggests, A Gentle Reminder offers hugs and empathy it’s words. This book offers gentle reminders to be kind to ourselves, to look at the beauty of the world around us even when we feel dark within.

This book is great for those struggling with depression who need to be reminded that they are not alone and reminds us of the life we could be living. Without even knowing her, Author Bianca Sparacino feels like a friend.

A Gentle Reminder is a self-help book that offers advice for how to deal with depression and anxiety. The book is written by Bianca Sparacino, a therapist who has struggled with depression and anxiety herself.

Sparacino provides advice for how to deal with negative thoughts, stress, and anxiety. She also discusses the importance of self-care and provides tips for how to take care of yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed.

The take away

A Gentle Reminder is a great read for anyone who is struggling with depression or anxiety. The book offers encouragement and advice for how to deal with difficult situations. It is also a great read for anyone who is interested in self-care.

 

Wrap up

These helpful books listed above offer useful advice and encouragement for those struggling with depression. Each of these books is written by a mental health professional or someone who has struggled with depression themselves. They offer advice for how to deal with difficult situations, as well as encouragement for those who are struggling.

They provide information on how to deal with difficult situations and offer encouragement for those who are struggling. These books are a great read for anyone who is interested in self-care or in learning more about depression.