Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

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nazgul2
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Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by nazgul2 »

What are some books recommended for people with depression? Books on life advice, motivation, discipline. Ive read all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi.
Spectrum
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Spectrum »

I believe the condition of one's 'depression' comes in degrees from mild to severe.
Here is one suggestion;

The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness

A Review on the Book;
I had been meditating for years and depressed for even longer, much, much longer, though I somehow did not realize. I got to a point where I was no longer able to meditate or be mindful as the brain fog, lack of sleep, the constant recursive thoughts, and anger had me spiraling down and down and down. I was lucky enough to get on some meds, get some sleep and take some time off to get to a more neutral state. Then I found this book. It was like the missing piece linking mindfulness - day to day, minute to minute mindfulness - and my mental and emotional state. It seems obvious in retrospect. Will I ever be OK, or even find some lasting happiness? I don't know. I do know that I never have to go down so far again.

This book will not solve your problems or cure your depression. It will however give you the guidance you may need to help yourself deal with the depression you feel and keep you from spiraling downward. It will take time, commitment and some patience with yourself. You have to be willing.
https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Way-Thro ... merReviews
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Dachshund
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Dachshund »

Have you read Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" ?

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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Eduk »

The Hobbit is pretty good for depression.
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Karpel Tunnel »

This book cuts through the BS of the chemical imbalance let's get you on meds approach AND offers real, human alternatives.

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections ... 163286830X
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philojoe
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by philojoe »

The Foundation for Exploration by Sean Goonan
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Georgeanna »

nazgul2 wrote: April 23rd, 2018, 4:23 pm What are some books recommended for people with depression? Books on life advice, motivation, discipline. Ive read all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi.
What did you learn about depression from your reading of 'all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi' ?
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Fooloso4 »

Georgianna:
What did you learn about depression from your reading of 'all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi' ?
Good question. Unfortunately it does not look as though nazgul2 stayed around long enough to read or respond to posts.

I do not know how Zhuangzi might help with depression other than perhaps with regard to perspectivism, but I found him to be funny and entertaining. A good translation can be found in the PDF of this anthology, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy:
http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstre ... osophy.pdf
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Atreyu
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Atreyu »

Here is the best one I know:

"Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman.
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by Georgeanna »

Fooloso4 wrote: April 30th, 2018, 2:47 pm Georgianna:
What did you learn about depression from your reading of 'all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi' ?
Good question. Unfortunately it does not look as though nazgul2 stayed around long enough to read or respond to posts.

I do not know how Zhuangzi might help with depression other than perhaps with regard to perspectivism, but I found him to be funny and entertaining. A good translation can be found in the PDF of this anthology, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy:
http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstre ... osophy.pdf
I think it is always helpful to discover what someone already understands about any human condition before proceeding. Also, what role philosophy might play - in prevention or thinking stuff through. ( In some cases, however, it might exacerbate negative thinking to an unhelpful degree)

Depression and related conditions like anxiety - any sense of mental ill-being - well, it's so complex and diverse...

The initial response and recommendation by Spectrum seemed to be the most aware:
'I believe the condition of one's 'depression' comes in degrees from mild to severe'.
The reviewer also recognizing the diverse strategies which might need to be deployed. Including medication to reach a relatively neutral state before one can even begin to read or absorb anything.

What helps ?
It depends on where you are on the spectrum.
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chewybrian
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Re: Recommended books for people with depression? I read all the stoics, tao te ching, and zhuangzi

Post by chewybrian »

Georgeanna wrote: April 28th, 2018, 3:50 am What did you learn about depression from your reading of 'all the stoic philosophers, the Tao te ching, and zhunagzi' ?
I can't speak for OP, and I have not read all of those, but I found Epictetus to be a huge help.

The Enchiridion teaches you to enjoy life as it is, not wish for it to be something else. Unrealistic expectations, like expecting nobody to cut you off in traffic, lead to anger at the perceived injustice when you do get cut off. Multiply that anger through work and other activities, and your life can seem like one giant frustration.

But, if you follow the "golden sayings", then you will not attach emotion to events outside your control, so they can not control you. Further, you will realize that the guy cutting you off had a different perspective, and acts according to his view, not yours. If you get a flat tire, or a hurricane hits, these are not in your control, so there is no need for guilt or anger or anxiety. (from memory, so maybe not verbatim>) "You may be unconquerable, if you enter into no battle in which the outcome is not in your control".

I'd say I learned to keep my mind on my own business, accept reality, and internalize my goals such that they are always potentially within my reach. It's a very different outlook on life than I had a few years ago, and I think different from the viewpoint of many people who are unhappy.

This work was the final piece of the puzzle, along with other lifestyle changes, and it allowed me to think of depression in the past tense for the first time in years. I would not expect it to be the answer for everyone, but I value it above anything else I've read, and would recommend it to anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, or similar problems (and everyone else).
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