We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Products & Reviews Get Support With These Expert-Recommended Books for Depression Understand your depression so you can overcome it By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Updated on July 18, 2023 Medically reviewed by Melissa Bronstein, LICSW Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Marcus Millan Depression affects both the mind and the body and is much more than just feeling sad for a while. It squashes motivation for even the simplest of tasks and creates feelings of hopelessness and despair. Like a barometer, depression tells us that something is wrong, but it doesn’t tell us what is wrong. Complicating the condition is the fact that it is experienced differently by each person, so an individualized treatment plan is essential for recovery. Self-help books can be a useful tool in the overall picture of successful treatment. They can be used alone but shouldn't substitute for treatment options like talk therapy and medication. We recommend sourcing books authored by licensed medical and mental health professionals. These experts have the training and experience to bring evidence-based techniques to the general public. The best books on depression also use easy-to-follow, engaging language that resonates with you. A social work and psychiatry expert from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the information in this article about what to look for in a book about depression and how books can provide support. Our Top Picks Best Overall: This Is Depression at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best for Negative Thoughts: Feeling Great at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best Positive Psychology-Based: Learned Hopefulness at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best for Anxiety: Unlearning Anxiety & Depression at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best for Therapists: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best for Recovery: Your Happiness Toolkit at Amazon ($19) Jump to Review Best for Stress Management: 101 Ways to Be Less Stressed at Amazon ($11) Jump to Review Best for Grief: Grief Works at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best for Intrusive Thoughts: Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look for in Books About Depression FAQ Why Trust Verywell Mind Best Overall This Is Depression Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Walmart $16 View On Barnesandnoble.com $18 The first step to healing depression is understanding exactly what it is. In this book, psychiatrist Diane McIntosh explains its many facets as well as various treatment options available to help the reader make confident decisions about what treatment to pursue. Writing with compassion and humor, Dr. McIntosh brings evidence-based approaches in an accessible and engaging format. An important benefit of understanding depression is being able to explain it and discuss it with friends, family members, and healthcare professionals. One of the most effective antidotes to depression is having an understanding and supportive community. This book aims to be a guide on the path out of a debilitating illness. Key Features Number of pages: 408 | Dimensions: 6 x 1.15 x 8.95 inches Best for Negative Thoughts Feeling Great Walmart View On Amazon $14 View On Walmart $15 View On Barnesandnoble.com $27 Dr. David Burns wrote this book after 40 years of research and over 40,000 hours spent treating people who struggle with depression. This theory of treatment looks at being able to listen to negative thoughts as important messages from your body rather than feelings to be completely avoided. The book addresses depression in two ways: simultaneously decreasing depressed feelings while increasing positive feelings to bring faster relief. After a detailed assessment of current feelings of depression and anxiety, Burns walks the reader through a thorough analysis of how you can crush negative thoughts, break bad habits, overcome addictions and relationship struggles, and deal with relapses in an effective way. Key Features Number of pages: 454 | Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.7 x 8.7 inches Best Positive Psychology-Based Learned Hopefulness Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Walmart $15 View On Barnesandnoble.com $27 “Learned Hopefulness” comes straight out of the field of positive psychology, which is gaining a lot of popularity in the talk therapy world. Dr. Dan Tomasulo begins the book by sharing his own journey to positive psychology, which began after his divorce from his wife of thirty years. Restoring a sense of hope in one’s future is a foundational challenge in depression management and recovery, and it's what helped Tomasulo get through a painful time in his own life. With inspiring stories, effective exercises, and science-backed techniques, Dr. Tomasulo addresses depression head-on by helping people identify their strengths, challenge the self-deprecating voice of depression that lives in negative thoughts, and start again from a place of hope. Key Features Number of pages: 192 | Dimensions: 6 x 0.42 x 9 inches Best Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple Amazon View On Amazon $14 View On Walmart $15 View On Barnesandnoble.com $15 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a very commonly used talk therapy technique designed to identify irrational and negative thoughts and replace them with sound-minded and motivating thoughts. Dr. Seth Gillihan uses a holistic approach to help readers identify patterns of thought that are holding them back from their goals and to move them toward feelings of happiness and purpose, helping them achieve their desired goals in both work and family life. The book begins with a "CBT Starter Guide," which is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to learn more about this approach. From there, Gillihan works through a variety of behavior strategies, such as goal setting, mindfulness, avoiding procrastination, and managing anger. Each chapter ends with a helpful summary, as well as homework assignments to reinforce what you've learned. We love the helpful diagrams, charts, and activities throughout the book. Key Features Number of pages: 234 | Dimensions: 6 x 0.64 x 9 inches Best for Anxiety Unlearning Anxiety & Depression Amazon View On Amazon $14 View On Walmart $14 View On Barnesandnoble.com $15 In this book, Dr. Joseph Luciani asks the important question: What if anxiety and depression are learned habits that can be broken? Since thoughts and daily routines are indeed habits, he explores the effect changing our habits can have on our mood and asks what habits they could be replaced by. Dr. Luciani's approach argues that healthier thoughts and living habits can lead to happier feelings. While it may seem too good to be true, Luciani's strategy is based on a simple concept: in order to overcome anxiety and depression, you need to trust yourself. The book is a guide to breaking through your own insecurity in order to build what Luciani calls "your self-trust muscle," which leads the way to freedom from depression and anxious feelings. Key Features Number of pages: 288 | Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches Best for Therapists Maybe You Should Talk to Someone Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Walmart $16 View On Barnesandnoble.com $25 If there was ever proof that helpers are not above needing help themselves at times, this book is it. Therapist Lori Gottlieb tells of working with patients who are struggling while she is also wrestling with her own heartbreak. This book offers layers of intertwined stories about people struggling with emotions that result from life showing up in some of the most difficult ways. Not only is Gottlieb knowledgeable about depression, she's also a masterful storyteller. The book isn't short, but you'll find yourself breezing through the engaging and sometimes hilarious and heartbreaking stories. Whether you're a therapist yourself or simply find personal stories helpful in coping with your own depression, this book is a must-read. Key Features Number of pages: 432 | Dimensions: 6 x 1.37 x 9 inches Best for Recovery Your Happiness Toolkit Amazon View On Amazon $19 View On Walmart $19 View On Barnesandnoble.com $20 A lot of the confusion surrounding depression is about not knowing what to do about it. This book is exactly what the title suggests: a toolkit of options for various situations and feelings that arise. With techniques included for people in drug and alcohol recovery, this book focuses on drug-free methods to decrease feelings of despair and even panic when unexpected problems are presented and works to develop skills to help prevent feelings of depression in the future. Author Carrie Wrigley, a counselor with over 30 years of experience, does an amazing job combining assessments, self-help tools, and invaluable information in this guide to preventing and overcoming depression. The book combines a variety of approaches, including CBT, positive psychology, behavior modification, and interpersonal therapy, for a well-rounded, versatile resource. Key Features Number of pages: 444 | Dimensions: 6 x 1.11 x 9 inches Best for Stress Management 101 Ways to Be Less Stressed Amazon View On Amazon $11 View On Walmart $11 View On Barnesandnoble.com $15 Feelings of anxiety and depression are often triggered and heightened by too much or poorly managed stress. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist and guru in mind and brain health. This book offers many strategies to experiment with and determine which ones are most helpful for each person. We love the simplicity of this book. The writing is clear, and the techniques are easy to accomplish without spending a lot of money or time. It's the perfect book to have on your desk at work and pick up throughout the day when you need to feel calm, centered, and positive. Key Features Number of pages: 160 | Dimensions: 4.25 x 0.75 x 6.25 inches Best for Grief Grief Works Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Walmart $16 View On Bookshop.org $18 Grief and depression are two very different things, but sometimes grief can trigger bouts of depression. Learning to manage and process grief can help prevent future episodes of depression and provide a clearer sense of direction through the healing process. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel provides both stories and sound guidance to navigate the complicated healing journey of grieving. Samuel specializes in grief counseling, and it shows in this book. Samuel addresses the loss of your parent, partner, child, and sibling, as well as stories of facing your own death. Whether your loss happened recently or many years ago, this book will help you process your grief and seek out the help you need. Key Features Number of pages: 303 | Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.76 x 8.38 inches Best for Intrusive Thoughts Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Barnesandnoble.com $28 Does your brain decide to remind you of all the embarrassing stuff you’ve ever done just as you’re about to fall asleep? Intrusive thoughts are brutal and play a huge role in the experience of depression and anxiety. Psychotherapist Sally Winston teaches how to take back control of your brain and quickly curb intrusive thoughts from ruining a good day or a good night’s sleep. Winston's approach is based on the fact that, as she says, "What you resist tends to persist." Her book provides helpful activities and strategies to get your mind "unstuck" and allow you to think freely (not to mention, sleep better). Key Features Number of pages: 192 | Dimensions: 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches Best Art Therapy Essential Art Therapy Exercises Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Walmart $17 View On Barnesandnoble.com $19 Creative people need creative outlets. Certified art therapist Leah Guzman answers that need beautifully with this book. Creativity has been shown to soothe the mind, create new spaces of self-awareness, and create new, positive pathways in the brain. The book provides 75 art therapy exercises as a remedy for depression, with a variety of mediums including photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, textile arts, and collages. Guzman also includes a chapter dedicated to writing, as well as an explanation of what art therapy is and how it works. If you’re an artistic creative, this book is definitely worth looking into. Key Features Number of pages: 162 | Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches How We Selected Self-help books are excellent tools for learning about depression. We looked for books that focus on a variety of scientifically-backed methods while also being accessible and easy to read. We also selected books that are written by experienced counselors and psychotherapists, with years of experience in their field. What to Look for in Books About Depression Easy to Read How many times have you picked up a self-help book only to feel overwhelmed by the language or not quite compelled enough to continue turning the pages? When looking for a book about depression, choose one that resonates with you and keeps you engaged. Gentle, understanding text that’s infused with real-world anecdotes, humor, and analogies is often easier to read. Expert Advice While it's helpful to hear perspectives on depression from a spectrum of people, it's often best to choose a book penned by a mental health expert. A mental health expert is someone who has been medically trained, has personal experience working with many types of people with depression, and has likely put in thousands of hours into the topic. Helpful Techniques Walking away from a book more equipped to understand, handle, and help cope with depression means that your time was well-spent reading those pages. Books written by credentialed mental health practitioners often contain a handful of effective techniques to help with the above. What's more, many of these techniques are based on science and research, which means they're evidence-based versus opinion. Frequently Asked Questions Is reading good for depression? Yes, reading books on depression can help in several different ways. They can help you feel like you're finally understood and seen, and many include helpful techniques to help you work through complex feelings.Generally speaking, reading any sort of book may help you feel better. It can help you feel calmer, take your mind off stressors, and even has long-term benefits related to memory and cognition.Further, a study published in the Mental Health in Family Medicine found that consistent reading improved mental health and had antidepressant effects.That said, books aren't considered a treatment for depression, nor are they a replacement for speaking with a therapist. Can I still read books for depression even though I don't have a diagnosis? Yes, you can read books about depression whether you’ve been diagnosed or not. Doing so may help you better understand your feelings and work through them. It may even inspire you to visit a mental health practitioner, or the reading may be useful for conversations you have with an existing therapist.Also, reading books about depression—even if you’ve personally never felt depressed—can help you empathize with others who do experience depression. This can strengthen your relationships with those you care about and help you understand what depression is from a more nuanced point of view. Why Trust Verywell Mind As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience working with clients who struggle with mental health issues, Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC understands the importance of finding quality resources and techniques that work for each person. Not everyone will have the same kind of healing journey, so having lots of options to choose from is vitally important to creating a lifestyle that combats depression symptoms. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Psychiatric Association. What is depression? Rizzolo D, Zipp G, Stiskal D, Simpkins S. Stress Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC). 2011;6(8). doi:10.19030/tlc.v6i8.1117 Robertson, Roma, et al. The Introduction of a Healthy Reading Scheme for People with Mental Health Problems: Usage and Experiences of Health Professionals and Library Staff. Ment Health Fam Med. 2008;5(4):219-228. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit