More ways to help
Here are a selection of some of my favourite books that may benefit you. And although they can never ‘hear’ you in the way that a conversation with a real person can, they can provide useful coping techniques, aid further understanding and build on therapeutic sessions.
Reasons to Stay Alive – Matt Haig
Help with Depression and Anxiety This is a novel and memoir written by Matt Haig based on his experiences of living with depression and anxiety disorder. It is a true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again. It’s a moving, funny, joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive.
Scattered Minds – The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder - Gabor Mate
Help with ADD/ADHD This book offers a completely new perspective and approach to ADD/ADHD for both adults and children. It allows parents to understand what makes their children tick and adults with to gain insights into their own emotions and behaviours.
The Myth Of Normal - Gabor Mate
Help with Stress and Trauma Challenging the prevailing Western understanding of ‘normal’, it explores how childhood and/or adulthood trauma and stress can have profound effects on physical and mental health - leading to conditions like anxiety, depression and chronic illness. It helps readers understand the root causes of their suffering and find a path towards healing and reconnection with themselves and others.
Lost Connections – Johan Hari
Help with Depression and Anxiety Depression and Anxiety are now at epidemic levels. This book asks the question ‘why?’. And provides answers from scientists around the world. Some are in our biology but most are in the way we are living today.
The Drama Of Being A Child: The Search For True Self – Alice Miller.
Help with Inner Child work Childhood experiences with parents are often a source of trauma. This book, although challenging and controversial, can help in understanding their impact, how to overcome denial, deal with the ‘loss of self’ and understand the consequences of repression.
Mindfulness – a practical guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World – Mark Williams and Danny Penman
Help with Mindfulness A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world. It reveals a set of simple yet powerful practices that you can incorporate into daily life to break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness and exhaustion. Click here to experience these mediations for yourself
Why hasn’t anyone told me this before? – Julie Smith
Help with Depression and Anxiety An easy to digest, collection of coping techniques. Drawing on years of experience Dr Julie Smith shares the skills you need to get through life’s ups and downs. Tackling the everyday issues that affect us all and offering easy and practical solutions.
8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery – Babette Rothschild
Help with Trauma Trauma recovery is difficult, but this book looks into the eight keys to successful trauma healing: mindful identification of what is helpful, recognising survival, having the option to not remember, creating a supportive inner dialogue, forgiving yourself for not being able to stop the trauma, understanding and sharing shame.
Making Pearls From Grit – Isla Aitken
Help with Breast Cancer This is the story of my friend Isla, a wife and mother of two, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and follows her journey through treatment including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. It is fascinating, traumatic, heart wrenching and life affirming.
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That you Did) – Philippa Perry
Help with Relationships This book looks into the do’s and don’ts of relationships. From understanding how your upbringing has shaped you to looking at how to handle your own child’s feelings. It gives practical advice on how to have the best possible relationships with the people who matter to you most.
The Little CBT Workbook – Dr Michael Sinclair and Dr Belinda Hollingsworth
Help with Anxiety and Depression This little practical workbook allows readers to explore the key principles behind Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and discover how to apply them to improve their lives.
More people to talk to
Here are also some organisations that offer valuable help and advice.
Just click on the logo and that will take you to their site.
Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
A mental health charity giving children, young people and their parents, mental health support.
Offering support for the under 25’s across many platforms.
Help for those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf.
Supporting positive mental health in teenagers including the free Calmharm app – to help teenagers manage or resist the urge to self-harm.
A charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.
Providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence
Created by the NHS to offer expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing
A national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information.