books on cd for depression and low self esteem

August 4, 2008 2:17 PM

I'm looking for books on cd that help with low self-esteem and depression. I'm not religious or spiritual and not looking to become rich, just want some inspiration and practical techniques.
posted by anonymous to Education (6 answers total)

Unfortunately, in my experience there seems to be a trade-off between audio material that is inspiring and material that is practical. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has helped me, and probably the two best (and most practical) books are Mind Over Mood and The Feeling Good Handbook. Also, New Harbinger publishes many good CBT workbooks. But, as far as I can tell, none of these are available in audio format. All of the above materials are written by clinicians and psychologists. I have found other audio books narrated by clinicians and psychologists, and they just haven’t been that great. The traits that make someone a great psychologist just aren’t the same that make someone a dynamic and inspiring speaker. Even though it’s not CBT, I’ve found audio CDs by Anthony Robbins to be very energizing and exciting. He’s a very dynamic speaker (here’s a 22 minute video of one of his talks). Don’t get suckered into spending lots of money on his CD packages though; some of his audio books are inexpensive (Giant Steps: Small Changes to Make a Big Difference)
posted by Jasper Friendly Bear at 3:17 PM on August 4, 2008

The Mindful Way Through Depression. It's about meditation, but it's very empirical, practical and effective, so suitable for someone who's not spiritual, in my opinion.
posted by Estragon at 4:41 PM on August 4, 2008

How about books that make you laugh? Don't know about the self esteem, but they can lighten the mood. Half the battle, at any rate.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:43 PM on August 4, 2008

Tangentially related, but it's about living well, which I think fits your requirements -- the new book by Randy Pausch, the "Last Lecture" guy.
posted by inigo2 at 9:49 PM on August 4, 2008

Not remotely linked to CBT, self-help, or really, therapy of any sort - but, in line with Indigo's thought, why not go with fiction? I read Chris Kraus's Torpor during a period when everything in life was going to hell, and it made me feel a whole lot better. The Corrections is also a good depression read. Getting your therapy on through fiction, at any rate, is at least more fun than reading self-help books, and in my experience, every bit as practical.

Zencast is surprisingly pragmatic in outlook -- though a little warm and fuzzy for my taste, it has some undeniably good advice. Also extremely pleasant to listen to late at night, when all you want to be doing is relaxing anyway.

Good luck!
posted by puckish at 2:41 AM on August 5, 2008

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It

If you have a goal in life, you'd probably feel less depressed ...
posted by joewandy at 8:42 PM on August 5, 2008