Monday 19 February 2018

Mental Health Books I Have Been Loving Recently

Mental Health Books I Have Been Loving Recently depression anxiety mad house OCD eating disorders CBT self care

I have been receiving a lot of mental health books recently. Unfortunately, due to exams and A-level stress, reading has kind of taken a back seat to revision. (Groan) Thankfully, after mock exams were over it gave me a break, to pick up reading again. 

Who am I kidding? I have three months to learn two years worth of content #prayforme

Although revision doesn't stop, I make sure in my breaks and downtime I get time to do some reading. I love reading, and I always feel better reading then mindlessly scrolling through social media, achieving nothing. 

Obviously, you know me and my passion for talking about mental health and my love of reading. So what better books to be talking about then mental health books. The books featured in this post are so diverse, so I am sure there will be something here for everyone, whatever sort of book you are after!


REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU'RE SAD- MAGGY VAN EIJK 

So I always find when it comes to books about mental health they tend to focus on one mental health issue in particular such as depression or anxiety which is great if you are looking for detailed and specific information and support on that illness. But what if you suffer from multiple mental health issues? Or maybe they all overlap and affect every part of your life to the point of not really knowing what is what?

This is why I love Remeber this when you're sad because it doesn't just focus on one illness is covers everything from OCD to self-harm and body image to depression. Maggy also covers how mental illness effects parts of everyday life from relationships to jobs. What I really found interesting about this book is how Maggy divides it up into different parts of the body from the heart to the skin. Something very symbolic of how mental illness really can affect every part of you.

Maggy's writing is incredibly friendly and welcoming. As I read it almost felt like I was having a chat with a friend. Maggy's stories are heartwarming and equally heartbreaking. I felt less alone reading this with my own mental health struggles and also picked up some interesting tips along the way thanks to Maggy's helpful lists. 

ANXIETY IS REALLY STRANGE- STEVE HAINES AND ART BY SOPHIE STANDING 

I have never really talked about anything like Anxiety is really strange before on my blog nor have I really seen anything like it anywhere else. Anxiety is really strange is a science graphic comic which I know sounds a bit daunting, but I promise there is nothing scary about this one and actually is worth a read to gain a greater insight into the inner workings of what anxiety really is. 

If you know me, you will know psychology is my thing. I'm a big nerd when it comes to the discipline, and although mental health isn't the field I want to work within, I still find the area really interesting. This graphic novel simply explains what anxiety is from a more scientific perspective, the science behind the symptoms and includes some useful coping strategies. 

One of my absolute favourite things about this science graphic comic is the artwork and layout. It is beautifully done and makes reading it very easy and enjoyable. If you are interested in understanding a bit more about anxiety and the psychology about it, whether it's to help you understand your own illness, what a loved one is going through or just because you want to educate yourself further on the topic then I couldn't recommend this to you enough. 

Mental Health Books I Have Been Loving Recently depression anxiety self help CBT OCD eating disorders happy thinking

OUT OF THE MADHOUSE- MICHAEL AND IAIN MAITLAND 

I have read a lot of books about mental health. Whether that be personal memoirs or self-help books, although enjoyable after a while they all become very similar and quite repetitive especially the self-help books. So when I came across Out of the madhouse, I was very intrigued by how different the concept was. 

Out of the madhouse combines the personal memoir of Michael through diary form during this time in the Priory for depression, anxiety and anorexia. It's also part self-help book, in between the diary entries there is advice and tips for dealing with everything from OCD to depression, low mood and anxiety. Those tips and advice come from Michael's dad, Iain a writer. Iain shares the families side of the story of what it is like having a seriously unwell son in a mental health hospital, something which you don't hear very often.

Iain documents their mistakes and things they wish they did differently to help their son before getting to the point of near death. Michael's story is heartbreaking at times and really does ring home to mental health sufferers such as myself who can relate to the pain Michael went through. You really do feel like you go on a journey with Michael and his family. Although I personally didn't find the tips useful, as I was aware of many of them before, if you have recently been diagnosed with a mental illness and are feeling very scared, alone but also seeking help and advice this book literally ticks all the boxes. 

HAPPIER THINKING- LANA GRACE RIVA

The last book on this list is a tiny and quick read, but that definitely doesn't mean it is any less helpful or useful than the others. Happier thinking is all about changing the way you think, retraining the brain if you like, to think and as a result feel happier. Although there are no overnight wonder woman fixes in here (Hint, there isn't such a thing) what you can expect to find is beneficial tips to help you if you are struggling with depression, anxiety or in general have low mood and want to beat it before it escalates to anything worse.

Lana describes a new technique or method in every chapter, which includes things from being kind to yourself and others, focusing on the good, not making assumptions and so much more. The tips seem self-explanatory and a little bit basic. That is because there are. The advice included is all things we should and can do, but we forget. The more you don't practice something the worse you get at it.

I love the idea of this little. I think it is essential for everyone's bags. Chuck, it in and have it everywhere you go because then if you are having a bad day or feeling very low, you can pick this up and remind yourself of the basic things you can do to think and feel happier. Once in a while, we all need reminding of the basics, and this book is perfect for that. 

I really hope you enjoyed this post! If you have any more mental health book recommendations, please send them my way. I am always on the hunt for new mental health books to read. 

Have you read any of the books on this list? Are you going to pick any of these up now? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, as always X

* Thank you to all the publishers and authors who have sent me these books. All opinions are my own, and I'm not being paid to write this post. 
SHARE:
Blogger Template Created by pipdig