Helpful books and resources

[Kazzl]

Hi everyone

Members often refer in their posts to books and other resources that have helped them. This thread is a place to list those books so all members can find them easily.

The titles might include scholarly, mass market and self-help books, specialist websites or blogs, podcasts, vodcasts or print or online journals or magazines. Please note BB has a list of websites and resources under Get Help, so maybe check there first for online resources. (Also note that we cannot include live links to online resources.)

To make things easy to find, please put the category of the content first in bold, then the title of the book and then, if you want, a brief comment.

Please note that anything listed here reflects the member's views only. Publications and other resources are not necessarily endorsed by beyondblue.

Happy reading!

[Guest_1643]

I used to read tonnes of autobiographies and memoirs on MH. Not to discourage others who find that helps, but I don't think it really did much for me, ebecause sometimes those ppl had resources and funds I didn't have, so their journeys were different.... a lot of them had supportive friends and family who aided their recovery, and it just made me sad

Now I read more self help stuff , not first person stories

[quirkywords]

Sleepy I think some memoirs are helpful and some self help books can be patronising or they promise the world but don’t deliver.

I think the balance is to find a story you can relate to.

Someone told me all you need is to get

one idea that helps you.

Thanks sleepy for your comments.

[Anna1991]

I find some memoirs helpful, but overall would have to agree - many I found triggering, or even glorifying mental illness.

I read a lot meditation and mindfulness books in therapy, which has been huge for my recovery. There's a lot out there, I personally follow buddhist principles and the book "Buddhism plain and simple" was great.

I listened to the podcast "10% happier" by Dan Harris which is really inspiring. I have also used the "Smiling Mind" podcast for mindfulness techniques.

[missep123]

I definitely find some books more helpful than others but when I do find one that I connect with, it resonates with me so much more.

I do find it hard sometimes to finish MH books because unfortunately I am a very avid fictional reader!

[Maria_B]

Hello All,

Books make you travel to different places and reframe your mindset. One of my recent readings that are so powerful is "The Power of your Subconscious Mind" by Dr Joseph Murphy. This book helped me rewire my thought patterns because it is not that easy to be in lockdown mode for some months. I thought that reading this kind of book will help my mental health. This book triggered for me to buy more inspirational and best-selling books.

Happy Life!

Maria.B

[Guest_1643]

I do agree just for me personally it could lead to a dark place or feel like glorifying certain states of unwellmess. Also sometimes the recovery was just unrealistic and didn't show the hard work that goes into it, made it look easy.

[Guest9337]

I discover that too many self help books are in fact just means to vehicle the act of self promoting ones own success... and assume that what the author does for themselves will work for everyone.

Some books do actually work quite well. but the best books give processes that we can do each day that work us forward towards satisfying our own needs/wants/desires.

[Guest_1643]

I like Ur point quirky, which is realistic and true. Rather than asking, did book x or y change Ur life, we could ask was there one idea you took from it?

I liked the Body Keeps the Score, because I identified myself with one of the case studies , I had similar symptoms to them, so it helped me consider that I had PTSD. In that one way, by sharing a relative case study , that book helped tonnes.

[Mk2692]

I discovered this book by Oprah Winfrey called what happened to you. It is a must read! It goes through trauma, resilience and healing. You might find this book also helpful.

[missep123]

Does anyone have any good book recommendations for self-doubt?

I am finding that whenever I apply for jobs I am self-excluding myself which is very challenging because I know in my heart I am a very good candidate but sometimes it is a battle for me to believe it!