Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific discoveries to reveal how trauma doesn’t just impact the mind, but also the body.Īccording to van der Kolk, trauma can compromise the sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. Trauma comes in all forms, from near-death experiences to unexpected loss. Key message: For many people, trauma is part of life, and understanding the science behind how it impacts the body can be a great tool in recovery.Who it’s best for: those who want to work through and understand traumatic experiences.Here, we’ve rounded up books that cover the subjects of depression, anxiety, addiction, self-love, relationships, and more. They can aid your mental health toolkit by providing different techniques, scientific research, and stories of others who have faced the same hurdles. Mental health books can be a useful way to process your experiences, learn about psychology, and often find techniques and tools to help you in your daily life. For those looking to learn new skills outside of therapy, libraries and bookstores are teaming with options written by experts and licensed professionals. Therapy and mindfulness are powerful steps in seeking help. population experiences mental illness each year. While dealing with a mental illness can feel isolating, 20 percent of the U.S. On a practical level, reading allows you to learn new information and skills you might’ve not known before.

In a literal sense, research shows that reading has the power to change your brain and create different patterns within it.

They can be a portal to different worlds, a bridge to a new past or future, an outpost for philosophies, and a support system for times of need.

Best for finding order in life: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleīooks are more than just a comfort.

Best for practicing self-love: Loving Bravely.

Best for highly sensitive people: The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You.

Best for navigating relationships: Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find-and Keep-Love.

Best for understanding family trauma: It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle.

Best for healing from emotional pain: Emotional First Aid.

Best for battling burnout: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.

Best for understanding a therapist’s perspective: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.

Best for women survivors of relationship abuse: Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook.

Best for recovery from addiction: The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober.

Best for anxiety: Hope and Help for Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now.Best for people battling trauma: The Body Keeps the Score.A quick look at the 12 best mental health books:

The body keeps the score amazon