Hi everyone. This has probably been done before. But is worth repeating.

A couple of years ago, I read "Against Depression" by Dr. Peter Kramer. It doesn't diagnose or self-help. Rather Dr. Kramer is extremely perceptive and sympathetic on depression, and discusses depression in a historical & cultural context, and de-mythesizes it.

Another one by Dr. Burns "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and the handbook for it does provide tools. He discusses 'Cognitive Distortions' in which he provides exercises on faulty thinking patterns and to work through correcting them. When I would go through a tough period, I would whip this one out and do the exercises and feel much better.

What books have helped people to shed light and/or give tools to cope with MH challenges?

I'm just started reading There's a light at the end of the tunnel by Joan Zawatzky. I only just read couple pages of the book and so far it sound interesting. This book shows you from Cognitive theraphy, setting goals to healthy living.

Feel the Fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers << I think

Who moved my cheese? - So simple but so effective!

Change your thinking - Sarah Edelman, great book, it has helped me and is still helping me with my OCD

Isabeau

I like the Dr. Burns book too - I found it really helpful to get a grip on the downward spiral I would suck myself into. I liked the activities and the lists. I have a workbook that I use to complete the activities and keep all my data together. However, I also found that it makes me much less tolerant of my friends gossiping.... I understand how damaging it is - not only to whoever is being gossiped about - but also to the gossiper's mental state...

My favourite - by far is "Mind Over Mood" by Christine A. Padesky. It's very similar to the Burns book - but much less reading and more questions to help probe the damaging thoughts. I also really liked the "Mood rating" - you give yourself a percentage on the mood you're feeling - then after you work through it - you re-evaluate your mood. I found it very helpful.

It's inexpensive - and it's like a workbook with pages to write on (or photocopy if you need more).

General reading that helped me in the past couple weeks were the Lance Armstrong books. They were motivating and inspiring. I know not everyone is a Lance fan - but I am and it definitely helped pick me up a bit.

I've got both the Burns book and the Padesky one. Just wish I had time/inclination to read them !!!!

I just finished reading, get me out of here recovery from borderline personality disorder. I really liked it

The Voice of Knowledge- Don Miguel Ruiz.

It's sort of spiritual but is really about teaching you not to believe lies about yourself. It works on your self-perception using ancient Toltec wisdom. I highly recommend it. It is very difficult to explain the concepts that Ruiz talks about if you dont have a complete understanding of them (like me) so I apologise for the vagueness of this description but I assure you it is an incredibly enlightening read. The writing is light but the things you will discover about yourself will rock your world.

This post has been edited by last_resort: Sep 13 2008, 11:18 PM