Authored by Malcolm Tatum in Mental Health
Published on 11-07-2009
Depression is a mental health condition that saps the energy of both the mind and the body. People who are moderately to severely depressed experience a wide range of symptoms, including lethargy, a constant sense of fatigue, inability to think coherently, loss of interest, and a general sense of feeling worthless. It is not unusual for depressed individuals to also feel a great deal of irritability as well as a wide range of bodily aches and pains. Fortunately, there are a number of books on the market today that can help people understand depression better and even begin to get an idea of how to recover and begin enjoying life once more.
It is important to keep in mind that there are many reasons why depression may develop. An emotional trauma may serve as the basis for the depressed state, which lasts long after the individual has had the time to process and begin recovering from any sense of grief or loss that took place. In other cases, a chemical imbalance due to physical issues may be the origin of the depression. There are books that address these and other triggers, helping people to understand what is happening inside, and what can be done to correct the problem.
Choosing the best books for depression study depends a great deal on which trigger or combination of triggers is at work. Toward this end, some of the best books to read are strictly informational in nature. That is, they help to take away the mystery of depression and explain the illness in ways that are easily grasped. At the same time, these books can point to tools such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes that can help minimize and eventually overcome depression.
However, not all the best books on depression are aimed at revealing the origin and offering a course of treatment to restore a more balanced mood. Some simply tell the story of those who have suffered with some type of depression over an extended period. In reading the stories of others who have become aware there is something wrong, and understanding how they came to deal with the depression, these books help to inspire people to not just sit and suffer, but to move out and seek the help they need to recover.
Even books on depression that do not have a happy ending can be helpful in encouraging individuals to seek help. There are a number of books that are based on personal recollections or even the journals of people who lived with depression for a number of years, finally losing all hope and choosing to end their lives. While books of this type are sobering, they can also help people realize how important it is to seek professional help, rather than attempt to deal with depression on their own.
In the end, the best books on depression are those that recognize the severity of the condition and offer practical information and experiences that motivate readers to actively seek ways to recover. This includes biographical works that detail real life experiences with depression, as well as informational and self-help books written by recognized experts in the field of mental illness. When evaluating any book that claims to be a resource for those suffering with depression, always identify the background of the author, and make sure he or she has the credentials to convey something that is likely to aid in the battle against depression.
