Self-Help Resources for Mental Illness (LIST)
Twitter ❤ Self-Help
If you’re familiar with my story, you may know that self-help books saved my life. I read just a few chapters of David Burns’ Feeling Good, but even those few words were able to help me stop hating myself, hold a job, and save my marriage — and for only about $7. Not a bad deal, right?
Self-help books get a dreadful reputation — and for good reason. They’re often filled with common-sense advice or random fluff you can find on a million inspirational websites. And many personal development resources just don’t apply to people with depression.
Still, I thought if it worked for me, maybe it could work for other people. I reached out on Twitter to see if anyone else had experienced something similar. The result was phenomenal:
You can feel free to browse that Twitter thread and find dozens of testimonials from real people that I’m not affiliated with (except through Twitter). If you can’t afford therapy, the copay to visit your doctor, or medication, try a self-help book. They’ve worked for others, and a few dollars’ investment might make the difference in your life.
(And if you can’t afford a self-help book, contact me. I’ll help you find one.)
That said, self-help books aren’t the only way to get help if you need it. Here are three ways you can get help if you don’t have the financial (or emotional) resources for therapy.
Robot Apps (FREE)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an intellectual response to your mental illness, as opposed to something like psychotherapy, which is an emotional response. The latter is best done with a therapist, and emotional therapy is often most helpful for those dealing with trauma and addiction.
But since CBT is intellectual, you can teach yourself many of the cognitive distortions and other forms of self-training associated with the therapy; or, you can let a robot teach you. Try one of these free apps on iOS or Android.
- WoeBot
- Pacifica
- Moodifier
Self-Help Books (FREE* to roughly $20)
Please note, I may receive a small commission if you purchase a book from this list via Amazon Affiliates; however, this information does not impact whether a book makes it on my list. You do.
* Want free books? You can get two free books by joining Audible today! After 30 days, you’ll be charged $14.95 per month and get one free audiobook per month. This is a great way to get your dose of self-help while driving, doing chores, or doing another self-care activity (like crochet, knitting, woodworking, taking a bath — whatever works for you)!
Depression, Anxiety, and Self-Esteem
David Burns: Feeling Good. The New Mood Therapy
- My Review: ★★★★★
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
David Burns: Ten Days to Self-Esteem: Currently reading!
The Self-Acceptance Project (various authors)
Lucinda Bassetts: Attacking Anxiety and Depression
Thomas A. Harris: I’m OK–You’re OK
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Mindfulness and Positivity
Thich Nhat Hanh: Peace is Every Step
Shamash Alidina: Mindfulness for Dummies
Patricia Collard: The Little Book of Mindfulness
Norman Vincent Peale: The Power of Positive Thinking
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Mark Williams and Danny Penman: Mindfulness
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Trauma
Charles L. Whitfield: Healing the Child Within
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Steve Haines: Trauma is Really Strange
Babette Rothschild: 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery
ADD / ADHD
Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo: You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Addiction
Allen Carr: The Easy Way to Stop Smoking
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Parenting
Sheila Achar Joseph: Helping Your Anxious Teen
Personal Development & Other
Viktor E. Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
Manuel J. Smith: When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
John Powell (various titles)
Virginia M. Axline: Dibs in Search of Self
Dale Carnegie: How to Win Friends and Influence People
- Audible link (free with a new Audible subscription!)
John Maxell: 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
Charles Duhigg: The Power of Habit
- My Review: ★★★★★
Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability (Audible)
Olivia Fox Cabane: The Charisma Myth
James Allen: As A Man Thinketh
Marti Olsen Laney: The Introvert Advantage
Ruby Payne: A Framework for Understanding Poverty
Jonathan Haidt: The Righteous Mind
Esther Perel (Various relationship counseling titles)
Steve Haines: Pain is Really Strange
I have not personally reviewed every title on this list, and can make no guarantees about their effectiveness. If there’s a title you think shouldn’t be on this list, please let me know below and I’ll take it into consideration.
Resilified Courses: $25-$35, one time
This is not an affiliate link, but I consider the folks over at Resilified to be friends in our mission to provide accessible care to those with mental health. Resilified offers afforable courses created by a licensed psychotherapist.
Course topics include depression, breaking bad habits, betrayal trauma, relationships, and more. Check out the full course list here.
Therapy Apps: $35-$70 per week
Therapy apps can virtually connect you with licensed therapists for a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy.
More information is coming to this section soon. 🙂
Have More to Add?
If you have used a self-help resource that has helped you, whether or not you combined it with therapy, please comment below so that I can add it to this list. You can also contact me directly, or give me a shout on Twitter. Your advice just might change someone’s life!
Originally published at valarieward.com on January 9, 2019.
