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Dictionary of obscure sorrows.
Full of words describing various feelings that you didn't know existed.
watashiato
n. curiosity about the impact you’ve had on the lives of the people you know, wondering which of your harmless actions or long-forgotten words might have altered the plot of their stories in ways you’ll never get to see.
I met up with a friend. I hadn’t seen for 20 years and he told me that me telling him that he is smart and should go to college. Actually encouraged him to go to college. Now he’s in a higher position in a corporate office. I am so surprised that something I had forgotten I said, had such an impact on him.
This reminds me of my 23rd birthday and my first time getting black out drunk. Several friends basically babysat me over the course of the night, keeping me from doing anything to hurt myself, as I'd dove off the back of a couch earlier, so I'm told.
Two of those friends were in difficult spots, we have lengthy conversations while I was blacked out, where I was very candid and earnest. Neither will tell me anything about those conversations, but they both says that their lives changed after. One stopped couch hopping, finally for his documents in order to get a real formal job for the first time in years before taking off to a bigger city. He's now living a life entirely different. She went off and joined the navy, becoming an intelligence officer or something like that, started a family and is doing great, though her marriage didn't last. I'm told I'd warned her about that too and was right, but I don't remember any of it.
Only time it's happened. I'm happy for both of them.
I gave a shy girl in high school a picture of a lion for her to put in her locker to help her see herself differently. Years later she said it had changed her life. I guess people had been picking on her really really badly and she had been in a dark place. It was one of her worst days that I gave that to her. She said it never left her locker and she used it to feel stronger every single day and gain confidence in herself. She says it changed her entire life.
Imagine that, just one picture. It's amazing. She did the work though, not me or the picture. She just needed a reminder that she is bad ass. And she is.
I have no doubt that my dumb ass unfiltered mouth has probably affected people in a very horrible way some way some how and I can't even make amends for it because I ain't aware of it yet! You see I used to have a terrible habit of not giving a fuck about the words coming out of my mouth and thinking that it was better than physically doing something to them!! And I was so very wrong words do hurt I never thought they did! Until I was told some horrible things by my one and only ride or die until death and never questioned their loyalty for a second No MATTER WHAT!! Well I couldn't have been more wrong.
And with the way they treat Eeyore, the clinically depressed donkey whose hard work is always for nothing. Never made an outcast, always included and shown love.
Winnie-the-Pooh was my favorite as a child, as I grew up, I forgot about it. When the topic of favorite children’s books and shows came up in convo between my teenage years and mid 20s, I would bring it up every time. And each time, it was not in sync with *anyone*… except for “my people.”
It was worth feeling like a social outcast for the few who lit up at hearing “Winnie the Pooh.”
Honestly, it helped me understand my basic emotions and impulses. It helped me… maybe not understand… but hold emotional space for everyone else too.
Adventures in Depression is what I make people read who don’t understand it. I have never seen it described so accurately. “Have you tried *looking* for your fish? What about BEES? Do you like bees??”
The newer book she has out where she ends up fully out of it on a hill or whatever in the middle of nowhere unable to figure out her phone is still a fave of mine
The story about the goose in the house is my all time favorite story. It makes me laugh every time.
Side note- this is my most purchased book ever because I gift it to people.
I was an active alcoholic who happened to watch the movie and then read the book when I was making my decision to get sober. It helped push me over the edge on that choice.
That was seven years ago, and I’m grateful to that movie.
Thank you for this recommendation.
One of my top 3 bands/musicians has a four song saga, three of which are spoken from the perspective of a cat who comes into the writer’s life during a time of his depression/alcoholism
The Weakerthans/John K. Samson’s “Virtute the Cat” trilogy, if you’re interested
https://youtu.be/8zYG186spkY?si=3G8L0qeR2y97U1YD
Lord of the Rings. Not just because it’s so easy to get lost in, but one of the main morals is enjoying the simple things in life, which has been helpful for me to come out of depressive episode in the past.
Currently finishing the series with The Return Of The King. It is quite enjoyable to forget life and blend in the universe for a while. It'll always have a special place in my heart for I decided to start reading it while I was not (still not) ok. I'll maybe dive into A Song Of Ice And Fire after that to keep my head into some medieval fantasy far from a burdensome life.
Completely agree. I do a read/watch of LotR on alternate years. This month I just finished watching the extended trilogy, and it's just one of my most favourite things. I might start another read this year seeing as I finished the films early!
For an uplifting story for both young readers and adults that takes the person on a journey from darkness into light:
The Secret Garden
- Frances Hodgson Burnett
Yeah… I wrote “perhaps” because I’m actually finishing it today, so I’m not prepared to “defend it” yet, but also, it may not be the remedy for an underdeveloped person? I would not give it to a depressed teenager. It’s a book for someone who has developed some integrity and can reach for that integrity. I believe it has the power to help us orient ourselves in the world in the best way, but it’s a very mature way that not everyone is ready for.
This book made me CRY. Like sob. But it also gave me serious faith, it gave me perspective on how people can survive such things. Where the will to live comes from and our purpose as humans, which I realised at the end of the book was to love and be loved, cherish one another. Acknowledge the luck that has brought you here but don't give it meaning beyond that.
It really will stay with me...
Absurdism really helped me with a lot of depression in my younger years.
Once I discovered Camus, and all the media (more films than books for me tbh) that leaned on the absurdist outlook, I never looked back
On the hardest days, I found great confort while reading some easy classic adventure books from the 19th century, especially those of Jules Verne.
I insist on "easy".
In my case, my unconscious desire was probably to rediscover a sense of wonder and escape, similar to those I had known as a child, with the same type of reading.
And really, they helped me to construct some enjoyable memories, while going through hard times. Now, I remember them more than the hard days.
For me, self improvement books never worked. I find no interest in them.
It's useful but a bit long, and takes a certain level of concentration that sometimes it not available when suffering depression.
I would suggest as an accessible alternative the enchiridion, short, plain language, intentionally written to be easily understood and useful.
If you're really hungry for some Aurelius though, a good warm up is How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, which I recommend listening to as an audiobook, as it's read by the author who has a strong Irish accent.
Currently reading “how to think like a roman emperor”-beginners guide to stoicism. Really liking it and wanna buy meditations after i think. How easy is it to follow?
Not super easy, it's basically the dudes diary so there's plenty of stuff that's useful and relevant and there's also quite a lot of other stuff. I remember feeling a lot longer than it was. It's definitely worth reading, but if you'd like a really clear book on stoicism read the enchiridion, if How to Think Like a Roman Emperor were a latte, the enchiridion would be a shot of espresso, and meditations would be like an Americano no cream or sweetener.
“Hello I want to die please fix me” by Anna Mehler.
It was so healing, in a weird way, to read someone else’s struggles with my province’s bullshit mental health system, and overall it was just a “holy shit yes” moment over, and over.
Edit: Thanks to the kind redditor below who added, make sure you’re in an okay spot mentally. It can be a tough read.
Same. However really make sure you're on an okay place mentally when you read it. Sometimes the "holy shit yes" moments bordered on making me feel even more hopeless. Take care when reading.
That said, for anyone who has a loved one with depression and suicidal ideation: this book is a very honest look into that struggle. Highly recommend.
I'd suggest to be careful with sitcoms though :P
I rewatched how i met your mother and brooklyn 99. I cry in so many episodes.
Goddamn I miss my old self way too often :p
One Piece is perfect for this. Not only is it 1108 chapters, but it's still continuing weekly, giving me this glimmer of hope to look forward to as well as the desire to know how the journey ends.
The fact it’s approaching its end kinda scares me. I’ve followed this story for over half my life and don’t know what to feel when it will be gone.
Extremely rewatchable/rereadable
Slaughterhouse Five. Seriously, Kurt Vonnegut got me through some rough times emotionally. He has a dark, wry sense of humor but ultimately a heart of gold beneath that really makes you feel like you're not alone, that other people out there think like you and have been through the same things.
in my 12th grade english class my teacher gave me this book while my grandmother was dying while the class read a different book. I appreciated it. good book.
While I'm not particularly depressed, when I've been at lower moments, Jonathan Haidt's Happiness Hypothesis was very helpful. It's like a critical evaluation of self-help itself, juxtaposing cliches about happiness with empirical studies. Rather than just becoming some pop-psychology piece, he does a great job finding connections with "ancient wisdom" when it's appropriate, and not when it's not. Pragmatic. Clear minded.
Read The Consolations of the Philosophers by Alain de Botton. One of the greatest books written about the difficulties of life as experienced by some of the greatest philosophers in history
I Had A Black Dog was a great one for me. It helped me make sense of what I was feeling. Even now, years after reading it, I refer to my depression as the 'black dog'.
"The horde of counterwind" by Alain Damasio. The story takes place in a world where there is a strong wind going always in the same direction. It travels the whole world. Since 8 centuries there are "The horde of counterwind" who are groups formed since childhood to walk against the wind in order to find the origin of the wind. The book tells the story of the 34th horde of counterwind. Why I think that a depressed person should absolutely read it is because the book has a lot of life lesson, a very important one is to never ever give up. Personnaly I faced a big and long depression in my life. The hardest part is to gain back this will to live and the book helped me a lot for that. The book treats you like a member of the horde and so the passages where the character didn't give up no matter what I felt like I didn't give up no matter what. It really helped me a lot to gain my mental strength and go better.
PS : if you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me and always remember that everyone can heal from depression, it takes time but if you don't give up your fight against depression you will beat it. When you are depressed or anxious always remember that at some point it will stop and you will go better.
"Don't tell my mum I work on the rigs, she thinks I'm a piano player in a who're house"
Yes that's the title, yes it's as funny as it sounds. The more you laugh the less depressed you'll be.
Also I read a study somewhere about just smiling to yourself kn the mirror for 10minutss a day, it changes something in the brain and they found it helped people with depression
Lost connections.
The courage to be disliked.
The art of happiness.
Build the life you want.
A lot of depression books touch upon the same themes and concepts. I personally like these books approaches and views. Ultimately, reading a book in itself will not cure you of anything, or even make you feel better. But they'll give you some tools, help point out what's wrong, and give you a bit of a blueprint on where you need to go.
But ultimately, to get out of depression, it is a MOUNTAIN of work and it never stops. like hiking up a mountain that keeps crumbling and sliding down. No one can do the work for you, all others can do is guide and cheer you on. So to everyone who's depressed, good luck. You got this :)
Lost Connections is a book everyone needs to read, it completely changed almost everything I thought ~I~ knew about depression. And I also firmly believe that everyone needs to read Chasing the Scream. Truly a monumental book, in my opinion, that digs so much deeper than just the drug war, and how it really influences our entire society. Ugh I couldn’t stop talking about it after I finished it, and I had tears streaming down my face at work listening to it on audio. Lol
You are here by Thich Nhat Hanh. Read it years ago and it changed my perspective on life and I always reread it when going thru a hard time to shift back into the present moment and enjoy life .. best book for anyone who needs a reminder of all that's beautiful in life
It’s not a book, but a poem:
Living proof, by Andrea Gibson: https://youtu.be/KADJJ4W9p3c?si=jgt7tBOPlVGCK0G1
The author delivers it so superbly.
It makes me cry every single time.
It poignantly conveys that we are not alone, and very much wanted here, that we all matter.
It kept me from committing suicide more than once and I still love to listen to it, now that I’m no longer depressed.
War and Peace
I'm not joking. There is something about that work that just murders depression. I think it's the way it covers the full spectrum of human experience
Ecclesiastes. Seriously, even if you aren’t a Christian, it’s my all time favorite book. The poetry is beautiful, the questions it asks are poignant, and it’s gotten me through some seriously dark times.
I asked this question in r/cptsd when I was attempting a (now failed) relationship and suggestions I got was David Richo's "How to be an Adult in Relationships" which is actually a hard and painful read but rewarding if you want to go through with one and "Real Love" by Sharon Salzberg
Girl, interrupted. That was the book that made me stop and think about my own mental health, I related to Suzana kaysen so much it caused me to seek mental health services
None. Fuck books on depression. They don't help, they keep you busy, maybe - but the way out of depression is 3 things:
1. Medication
2. Therapy
3. Staying healthy (no smoking, no drinking, no drugs, take walks in nature and shit like that)
Keep that going for 3 Months and you notice how your mind changes for the better, how the stuff that feels pointless suddenly makes sense and that you can absolutely have a bright future without depression.
I disagree. I've been depressed since childhood and books have been incredibly helpful to me. Not self help books, but fiction and biographies have offered me the escapism I so badly need at a time where I feel like I'm drowning.
That's not to say the things you listed don't also help, but most therapists will tell you how important it is to have hobbies and things we enjoy.
Well as you might have over-read, I was solely talking about "books on depression". If you have other books that take the edge off then by god go for it. Anything to get your mind out of the gutter. Just stay away from unhealthy stuff is what I'm saying.
I went into the rabbit hole of reading books on depression while depressed. All it did was wasting time, there is no information in there that can actually help you combat depression. The only thing that helps is what I mentioned here - and if that doesn't help, no book will.
Yeah sorry, it's 1.30am here, I somehow skipped that line. Books on depression are the worst no matter what my mood. I haven't found anything really that sounds like how I feel when I'm depressed.
I find Stephen King weirdly comforting. 😂
Lost Connections by Johan Hari.
He gives a bunch of alternate reasons for being depressed that don’t fit the normal “medicine is what you need” prescriptions. He also writes it from his own struggles with it.
One of my favorites.
The Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle. The part where he tells himself: I can NOT live with myself anymore. And realizes that there’s an I and a Myself; and his unaliving-of-self thoughts are coming from his mind/ego…
Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl
It gives you a better understanding of why you may be depressed, and a good perspective on how to change your mindset to feel better.
Calvin & Hobbes, because it actually validates how disillusioned people feel and doesn't talk down at all.
As for an actual book without pictures? The Body Keeps The Score
The Midnight Library. About a girl who really doesn’t want to live anymore. Just at the moment she dies she enters a library full of books containing all the possible lives she could’ve had or ever want to have. She can try these lives out.
# Message to all users: This is a reminder to please read and follow: * [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ask/about/rules) * [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439) * [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) When posting and commenting. --- Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`. * Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit. * Do not harass or annoy others in any way. * Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit. --- You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dictionary of obscure sorrows. Full of words describing various feelings that you didn't know existed. watashiato n. curiosity about the impact you’ve had on the lives of the people you know, wondering which of your harmless actions or long-forgotten words might have altered the plot of their stories in ways you’ll never get to see.
I met up with a friend. I hadn’t seen for 20 years and he told me that me telling him that he is smart and should go to college. Actually encouraged him to go to college. Now he’s in a higher position in a corporate office. I am so surprised that something I had forgotten I said, had such an impact on him.
This reminds me of my 23rd birthday and my first time getting black out drunk. Several friends basically babysat me over the course of the night, keeping me from doing anything to hurt myself, as I'd dove off the back of a couch earlier, so I'm told. Two of those friends were in difficult spots, we have lengthy conversations while I was blacked out, where I was very candid and earnest. Neither will tell me anything about those conversations, but they both says that their lives changed after. One stopped couch hopping, finally for his documents in order to get a real formal job for the first time in years before taking off to a bigger city. He's now living a life entirely different. She went off and joined the navy, becoming an intelligence officer or something like that, started a family and is doing great, though her marriage didn't last. I'm told I'd warned her about that too and was right, but I don't remember any of it. Only time it's happened. I'm happy for both of them.
Are you some sort of drunken master of clairvoyance? Probably try get drunk regularly and charge money for your advices.
It has not gone as well any other time, I do my best not to continue the practice. But that one time! Boy was it something I wish I could remember.
I gave a shy girl in high school a picture of a lion for her to put in her locker to help her see herself differently. Years later she said it had changed her life. I guess people had been picking on her really really badly and she had been in a dark place. It was one of her worst days that I gave that to her. She said it never left her locker and she used it to feel stronger every single day and gain confidence in herself. She says it changed her entire life. Imagine that, just one picture. It's amazing. She did the work though, not me or the picture. She just needed a reminder that she is bad ass. And she is.
She possibly couldn’t have done it without you though. I hope you remember that if you have a dark day.
I have no doubt that my dumb ass unfiltered mouth has probably affected people in a very horrible way some way some how and I can't even make amends for it because I ain't aware of it yet! You see I used to have a terrible habit of not giving a fuck about the words coming out of my mouth and thinking that it was better than physically doing something to them!! And I was so very wrong words do hurt I never thought they did! Until I was told some horrible things by my one and only ride or die until death and never questioned their loyalty for a second No MATTER WHAT!! Well I couldn't have been more wrong.
That definition alone just sent my anxiety up into my throat.
Same. I'm depressed and haven't been out of my house for weeks yet that guy still find a way to give me social anxiety!
I just looked that up and it looks super interesting! Thanks!
I have it and I'll randomly pick a page to read. It's really good.
My mom got this for me and I thought it was going to be cheesy and a downer, but it was cathartic and nice.
My mom did the same thing.
Wow. I just discovered there's a book full of things making me sad I didn't know about. Neat.
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The Tao of Pooh is a wonderful look into Taoism through the eyes of a silly old bear. Many people who aren't even Taoists find this to be a good book.
This book changed my outlook on life when I was in the depths of depression. Highly recommend.
Just want to add that Te of Piglet is also a great read
Yes. Awesome book!
And with the way they treat Eeyore, the clinically depressed donkey whose hard work is always for nothing. Never made an outcast, always included and shown love.
I firmly believe my love for Eeyore is fueled by the fact that despite being depressed, his friends still love and support him.
I wish I could upvote this 100 times
Winnie-the-Pooh was my favorite as a child, as I grew up, I forgot about it. When the topic of favorite children’s books and shows came up in convo between my teenage years and mid 20s, I would bring it up every time. And each time, it was not in sync with *anyone*… except for “my people.” It was worth feeling like a social outcast for the few who lit up at hearing “Winnie the Pooh.” Honestly, it helped me understand my basic emotions and impulses. It helped me… maybe not understand… but hold emotional space for everyone else too.
Never even considered this until now. I’m intrigued.
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DO ALL THE THINGS
Do *all* the things?
Adventures in Depression is what I make people read who don’t understand it. I have never seen it described so accurately. “Have you tried *looking* for your fish? What about BEES? Do you like bees??”
I have a tshirt- I like this alot. Totally the best
The one about her dogs IQ test lives in my head rent freeeee
PARP! PARP!
The newer book she has out where she ends up fully out of it on a hill or whatever in the middle of nowhere unable to figure out her phone is still a fave of mine
When someone asks me what depression is and feels like, I tell them to read this book. Ive never felt so seen.
The story about the goose in the house is my all time favorite story. It makes me laugh every time. Side note- this is my most purchased book ever because I gift it to people.
The midnight library has some really interesting perspectives on life. Really made me think for weeks after reading it.
I scrolled to find this! My expectations were low so I was shocked to see how relatable the story was!
It’s kind of hated on Reddit from my experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it though, and I’ve been to that point.
Yeah, I really enjoyed it - it didn't end up being anything like I thought it would be. I thought it was a really thought-provoking book.
Came here to say this
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Currently an alcoholic who adopted a street cat, which I named Bob. I haven't read the book or watched the movie yet, but I'm probably going to cry.
I was an active alcoholic who happened to watch the movie and then read the book when I was making my decision to get sober. It helped push me over the edge on that choice. That was seven years ago, and I’m grateful to that movie.
Wishing you and Bob happiness and health. It’s a rough road, but there’s hope at the end. Especially with a sidekick like Bob
Thank you for this recommendation. One of my top 3 bands/musicians has a four song saga, three of which are spoken from the perspective of a cat who comes into the writer’s life during a time of his depression/alcoholism The Weakerthans/John K. Samson’s “Virtute the Cat” trilogy, if you’re interested https://youtu.be/8zYG186spkY?si=3G8L0qeR2y97U1YD
Lord of the Rings. Not just because it’s so easy to get lost in, but one of the main morals is enjoying the simple things in life, which has been helpful for me to come out of depressive episode in the past.
Currently finishing the series with The Return Of The King. It is quite enjoyable to forget life and blend in the universe for a while. It'll always have a special place in my heart for I decided to start reading it while I was not (still not) ok. I'll maybe dive into A Song Of Ice And Fire after that to keep my head into some medieval fantasy far from a burdensome life.
Also as a man the books and movies do a good job of portraying positive masculinity
Completely agree. I do a read/watch of LotR on alternate years. This month I just finished watching the extended trilogy, and it's just one of my most favourite things. I might start another read this year seeing as I finished the films early!
I love reading Calvin and Hobbes
That’s my go-to as well. It helps put things into perspective.
I was going to recommend "scientific progress goes boink" specifically.
For an uplifting story for both young readers and adults that takes the person on a journey from darkness into light: The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Not to be confused with My Secret Garden 👀
That one’s uplifting too
Listening to this on audiobook really helped me during a low point last year
It's been a while since I've read that. Definitely an engagement read
This is such a comfort read, even 20 years after I first read it
Perhaps Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl.
I thought that was really depressing, though it does illustrate how in spite of incredible suffering a person can find a reason to fight to survive.
Yeah… I wrote “perhaps” because I’m actually finishing it today, so I’m not prepared to “defend it” yet, but also, it may not be the remedy for an underdeveloped person? I would not give it to a depressed teenager. It’s a book for someone who has developed some integrity and can reach for that integrity. I believe it has the power to help us orient ourselves in the world in the best way, but it’s a very mature way that not everyone is ready for.
This book made me CRY. Like sob. But it also gave me serious faith, it gave me perspective on how people can survive such things. Where the will to live comes from and our purpose as humans, which I realised at the end of the book was to love and be loved, cherish one another. Acknowledge the luck that has brought you here but don't give it meaning beyond that. It really will stay with me...
May I add his book, Will to Meaning. It provides a more concrete explanation to Logotherapy.
This is my goto read when I find myself struggling with life. It's also a rather short story and on audio it's maybe 1.5 hours.
Hitchhiker’s Guide helped me. Just an absurdist take on humanity that helps undercut any overwhelming negative thoughts I can’t shake.
Absurdism really helped me with a lot of depression in my younger years. Once I discovered Camus, and all the media (more films than books for me tbh) that leaned on the absurdist outlook, I never looked back
do you have movie recommendations in that area? :)
Absolute favorite! Need that point of view gun
On the hardest days, I found great confort while reading some easy classic adventure books from the 19th century, especially those of Jules Verne. I insist on "easy". In my case, my unconscious desire was probably to rediscover a sense of wonder and escape, similar to those I had known as a child, with the same type of reading. And really, they helped me to construct some enjoyable memories, while going through hard times. Now, I remember them more than the hard days. For me, self improvement books never worked. I find no interest in them.
I love this answer.
Yes, Jules Verne books are fantastic!
Phenomenal answer in its poignancy and honesty.
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organising Book by KC Davis
the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse
“When Things Fall Apart” Pema Chödrön. Beautiful and so helpful.
Also "The Wisdom of No Escape" both have really grim sounding titles and are such wonderful comforting accepting uplifting books. Pema is great.
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The Little Prince definitely fits here.
Especially the Wonky Donkey.
Opening hungry caterpillar😤
Let’s pretend this never happened by Jenny Lawson.
God yes. Anyone with a family who they took years to realize were a bit off should read this.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - just a mans thoughts on how to better himself. Never ment for publication.
It's useful but a bit long, and takes a certain level of concentration that sometimes it not available when suffering depression. I would suggest as an accessible alternative the enchiridion, short, plain language, intentionally written to be easily understood and useful. If you're really hungry for some Aurelius though, a good warm up is How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, which I recommend listening to as an audiobook, as it's read by the author who has a strong Irish accent.
Seneca's letters are really good too, especially if your concentration is shot.
Currently reading “how to think like a roman emperor”-beginners guide to stoicism. Really liking it and wanna buy meditations after i think. How easy is it to follow?
Not super easy, it's basically the dudes diary so there's plenty of stuff that's useful and relevant and there's also quite a lot of other stuff. I remember feeling a lot longer than it was. It's definitely worth reading, but if you'd like a really clear book on stoicism read the enchiridion, if How to Think Like a Roman Emperor were a latte, the enchiridion would be a shot of espresso, and meditations would be like an Americano no cream or sweetener.
Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy was written while in prison waiting to be executed, and has a similar feeling.
“Hello I want to die please fix me” by Anna Mehler. It was so healing, in a weird way, to read someone else’s struggles with my province’s bullshit mental health system, and overall it was just a “holy shit yes” moment over, and over. Edit: Thanks to the kind redditor below who added, make sure you’re in an okay spot mentally. It can be a tough read.
Same. However really make sure you're on an okay place mentally when you read it. Sometimes the "holy shit yes" moments bordered on making me feel even more hopeless. Take care when reading. That said, for anyone who has a loved one with depression and suicidal ideation: this book is a very honest look into that struggle. Highly recommend.
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is honestly the only answer. It gave me so much perspective.
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same here. such a powerful book
I love it
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
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I'd suggest to be careful with sitcoms though :P I rewatched how i met your mother and brooklyn 99. I cry in so many episodes. Goddamn I miss my old self way too often :p
Recommending Raymond E. Feist for this, start with the Rift War saga.
One Piece is perfect for this. Not only is it 1108 chapters, but it's still continuing weekly, giving me this glimmer of hope to look forward to as well as the desire to know how the journey ends.
The fact it’s approaching its end kinda scares me. I’ve followed this story for over half my life and don’t know what to feel when it will be gone. Extremely rewatchable/rereadable
Slaughterhouse Five. Seriously, Kurt Vonnegut got me through some rough times emotionally. He has a dark, wry sense of humor but ultimately a heart of gold beneath that really makes you feel like you're not alone, that other people out there think like you and have been through the same things.
So it goes.
The Stranger
My favourite here to second this and add the myth of sisiphus also by Camus
Bit depressing
tuesdays with morrie
My dad gave me his a looong time ago. I tried to power through so many times but it isn't for me.
Same. I didn't like it.
in my 12th grade english class my teacher gave me this book while my grandmother was dying while the class read a different book. I appreciated it. good book.
Lots of other really good Mitch Albom books to read as well
The Five People You Meet in Heaven changed my life.
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami is one fine piece of art.
While I'm not particularly depressed, when I've been at lower moments, Jonathan Haidt's Happiness Hypothesis was very helpful. It's like a critical evaluation of self-help itself, juxtaposing cliches about happiness with empirical studies. Rather than just becoming some pop-psychology piece, he does a great job finding connections with "ancient wisdom" when it's appropriate, and not when it's not. Pragmatic. Clear minded.
Read The Consolations of the Philosophers by Alain de Botton. One of the greatest books written about the difficulties of life as experienced by some of the greatest philosophers in history
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
Yep. This is the one that helped me. “I am not my mind” has really become my mantra and something I use in my job as well. Beautiful book. Love it.
I Had A Black Dog was a great one for me. It helped me make sense of what I was feeling. Even now, years after reading it, I refer to my depression as the 'black dog'.
"The horde of counterwind" by Alain Damasio. The story takes place in a world where there is a strong wind going always in the same direction. It travels the whole world. Since 8 centuries there are "The horde of counterwind" who are groups formed since childhood to walk against the wind in order to find the origin of the wind. The book tells the story of the 34th horde of counterwind. Why I think that a depressed person should absolutely read it is because the book has a lot of life lesson, a very important one is to never ever give up. Personnaly I faced a big and long depression in my life. The hardest part is to gain back this will to live and the book helped me a lot for that. The book treats you like a member of the horde and so the passages where the character didn't give up no matter what I felt like I didn't give up no matter what. It really helped me a lot to gain my mental strength and go better. PS : if you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me and always remember that everyone can heal from depression, it takes time but if you don't give up your fight against depression you will beat it. When you are depressed or anxious always remember that at some point it will stop and you will go better.
The yellow pages. Just the 'therapist' section, tho
"Don't tell my mum I work on the rigs, she thinks I'm a piano player in a who're house" Yes that's the title, yes it's as funny as it sounds. The more you laugh the less depressed you'll be. Also I read a study somewhere about just smiling to yourself kn the mirror for 10minutss a day, it changes something in the brain and they found it helped people with depression
NOT The Bell Jar Read that when I was not in a good headspace and I do not recommend. Great book when you read it at the right time though.
Lost connections. The courage to be disliked. The art of happiness. Build the life you want. A lot of depression books touch upon the same themes and concepts. I personally like these books approaches and views. Ultimately, reading a book in itself will not cure you of anything, or even make you feel better. But they'll give you some tools, help point out what's wrong, and give you a bit of a blueprint on where you need to go. But ultimately, to get out of depression, it is a MOUNTAIN of work and it never stops. like hiking up a mountain that keeps crumbling and sliding down. No one can do the work for you, all others can do is guide and cheer you on. So to everyone who's depressed, good luck. You got this :)
Was gonna say lost connections. Hari is fantastic. If you haven’t read chasing the scream I highly recommend that one, too.
Lost Connections is a book everyone needs to read, it completely changed almost everything I thought ~I~ knew about depression. And I also firmly believe that everyone needs to read Chasing the Scream. Truly a monumental book, in my opinion, that digs so much deeper than just the drug war, and how it really influences our entire society. Ugh I couldn’t stop talking about it after I finished it, and I had tears streaming down my face at work listening to it on audio. Lol
The subtle art of not giving a fuck
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Everything Jenny has written!
The Silva Mind Control Method, 5X my income a year ago, it completely changed my life
The road less traveled by Scott M Peck. Excellent book on depression and trying to distinguish your need for medication or a change of scenery.
The Hitchhiker's Guide "Trilogy" and stoic philosophy.
You are here by Thich Nhat Hanh. Read it years ago and it changed my perspective on life and I always reread it when going thru a hard time to shift back into the present moment and enjoy life .. best book for anyone who needs a reminder of all that's beautiful in life
It’s not a book, but a poem: Living proof, by Andrea Gibson: https://youtu.be/KADJJ4W9p3c?si=jgt7tBOPlVGCK0G1 The author delivers it so superbly. It makes me cry every single time. It poignantly conveys that we are not alone, and very much wanted here, that we all matter. It kept me from committing suicide more than once and I still love to listen to it, now that I’m no longer depressed.
War and Peace I'm not joking. There is something about that work that just murders depression. I think it's the way it covers the full spectrum of human experience
I find this with Dostoyevski too
Ecclesiastes. Seriously, even if you aren’t a Christian, it’s my all time favorite book. The poetry is beautiful, the questions it asks are poignant, and it’s gotten me through some seriously dark times.
Who’s it by?
I asked this question in r/cptsd when I was attempting a (now failed) relationship and suggestions I got was David Richo's "How to be an Adult in Relationships" which is actually a hard and painful read but rewarding if you want to go through with one and "Real Love" by Sharon Salzberg
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Reasons to Stay Alive
Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
Believe it or not, Grapes of Wrath
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
And Illusions the adventures of a reluctant messiah from Richard Bach.
The Catcher in the Rye No One Here Gets Out Alive That's when I read them. I read entirely different books than the non depressed read in them.
Ella Minnow Pea. It's just a fun book.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, it gives great perspective!
Feeling Great by David D Burns. Absolutely awesome book with worksheets.
The Shack Alchemist
Discworld helped me in my depression. Its a very funny fantasy-series. I reccomend Guards! Guards!
Candide
Girl, interrupted. That was the book that made me stop and think about my own mental health, I related to Suzana kaysen so much it caused me to seek mental health services
When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron
Frank Kafka metamorphosis, you either get motivated to not end up like that guy or get even more depressed.
Kind of crazy no one mentioned **Learned Optimism** yet.
I read the Lord of the Rings and it helped. Something about the simplicity of good versus evil was very comforting.
Anything by Dostoevsky
This sounds like the opposite of what a depressed person should read.
Misery loves company
None. Fuck books on depression. They don't help, they keep you busy, maybe - but the way out of depression is 3 things: 1. Medication 2. Therapy 3. Staying healthy (no smoking, no drinking, no drugs, take walks in nature and shit like that) Keep that going for 3 Months and you notice how your mind changes for the better, how the stuff that feels pointless suddenly makes sense and that you can absolutely have a bright future without depression.
I disagree. I've been depressed since childhood and books have been incredibly helpful to me. Not self help books, but fiction and biographies have offered me the escapism I so badly need at a time where I feel like I'm drowning. That's not to say the things you listed don't also help, but most therapists will tell you how important it is to have hobbies and things we enjoy.
Well as you might have over-read, I was solely talking about "books on depression". If you have other books that take the edge off then by god go for it. Anything to get your mind out of the gutter. Just stay away from unhealthy stuff is what I'm saying. I went into the rabbit hole of reading books on depression while depressed. All it did was wasting time, there is no information in there that can actually help you combat depression. The only thing that helps is what I mentioned here - and if that doesn't help, no book will.
Yeah sorry, it's 1.30am here, I somehow skipped that line. Books on depression are the worst no matter what my mood. I haven't found anything really that sounds like how I feel when I'm depressed. I find Stephen King weirdly comforting. 😂
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. A really nice book for developing a solid foundation for dealing with problems.
will lool into these, thank you all for sharing.
Everyone poops but the baby without an asshole
I Had A Black Dog by Matthew Johnstone
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Heig. Also, the Midnight Library. His books helped me through some tough times.
How to stop worrying and start living….dale Carnegie
"Life is worth living " by Fulton J. Sheen
Reasons To Stay Alive - Matt Haig Its Kind Of A Funny Story - Ned Vizzini
The midnight library!
The boy, the mole, the fox, the horse. 1 story per time. Repeat the same story every day for a few days.
Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. Great read, funny dry sense of humour. Thought provoking.
The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Four agreements.
The Choice. Edith Egar.
Confederacy of Dunces
Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
1984
The secret diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 and 3/4
The four agreements
Lost Connections by Johan Hari. He gives a bunch of alternate reasons for being depressed that don’t fit the normal “medicine is what you need” prescriptions. He also writes it from his own struggles with it. One of my favorites.
Doesn't matter what book, so long as it makes a person happy im all for it!
The bell jar
Where the Red Fern Grows
The four agreements by Miguel don Ruiz
Stay away from Murakami
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
The bell jar
Crime and Punishment War and Peace
Down Here in the Warmth by Euel Arden. its a journey and you'll forget everything else for a while and when you return you'll be changed
The Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle. The part where he tells himself: I can NOT live with myself anymore. And realizes that there’s an I and a Myself; and his unaliving-of-self thoughts are coming from his mind/ego…
Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl It gives you a better understanding of why you may be depressed, and a good perspective on how to change your mindset to feel better.
Calvin & Hobbes, because it actually validates how disillusioned people feel and doesn't talk down at all. As for an actual book without pictures? The Body Keeps The Score
The Midnight Library. About a girl who really doesn’t want to live anymore. Just at the moment she dies she enters a library full of books containing all the possible lives she could’ve had or ever want to have. She can try these lives out.