How to Find Self-Help Books for Depression

Depression occurs when you feel sad, angry or frustrated for a long time. Common triggers of depression include stress at work or school, illness or the death of a loved one. Some depression is related to brain chemistry. You can use self-help books as aids to overcoming a brief bout of depression or as backups to therapy or medical treatment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Visit your local library or bookstore. You also can go online to search for self-help books. Search in the Health and Wellness or Self-Help sections of the library. Browse the Self-Help Books section of an online bookseller like Amazon to see a list of titles on dealing with depression.
2. Get recommendations from others. Online sites such as The Stress Group or The Guide to Self-Help Books provide lists of the top books on overcoming depression. Look for positive reviews to determine if other readers have benefited from these books.
3. Pick the right self-help book for depression. Discover whether the author is a professionally trained expert in mental health. Figure out if the book is completely focused on identifying and conquering depression by reading the front and back cover. Find something about the book that meets your needs before buying it.
4. Get recommendations from your health-care professional, therapist or self-help group. If you are receiving medical treatment or therapy for depression, ask those you are working with to suggest books that can supplement your course of treatment.