Books on Prescription

I’m really pleased to see that people in England are getting to share some of the privileges which people living in Wales have enjoyed for many years… and no, I’m not talking about an excess of rainfall!

Way back in 2003 the Cardiff Books on Prescription Scheme was launched and, being so well received, effective and low-cost, the scheme spread throughout Wales.

More recently, England has caught on to this idea and the Books on Prescription Scheme was officially launched in May.

It includes a selection of about 30 self-help books on self-development strategies or particular disorders and also recommends a range of “mood-boosting” books from writers such as Jo Brand, Bill Bryson and Terry Jones which will simply make you feel better.

This development formally acknowledges that people with mild to moderate disorders can often treat themselves very successfully if given a little appropriate guidance. There are some things for which medication and specialist intervention are not necessarily required, but rather a little care and directed attention will do the trick!

So if you are personally affected – or you know and care about someone who is, maybe this is the nudge you need. Your GP can actually prescribe a book from your local library – or feel free to select your own from the recommended list below!

What books have you found helpful or inspiring?

Prescription Booklist

** The booklist is reproduced below. My search for titles on Amazon.co.uk revealed a small number were not readily available though Kindle versions or used copies were available for extremely good prices. I imagine your local library will have copies for loan. Click on the links if you’d like to find out more.
Addictions
Overcoming Your Addictions – Windy Dryden and Walter Mateweychuk

Anger
Overcoming Anger and Irritability – William Davies

Managing Anger – Gael Lindenfield

Anxiety and Phobia
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook – Edmund J Bourne

Bereavement
Living with Loss – Liz McNeill Taylor

‘You’ll Get Over It’: The Rage of Bereavement – Virginia Ironside

Carers’ Perspective
Mental Illness: A Handbook for Carers – Rosalind Ramsey

When Someone You Love Has Depression – Barbara Baker

Chronic fatigue/ME
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (The Facts) – Frankie Campling  Michael Sharpe

How to Manage Chronic Fatigue – Christine Craggs-Hinton,

Dementia
A Personal Guide to Living with Progressive Memory Loss – Sandy Burgener & Prudence Twigg

Dementia: Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias at Your Fingertips – Harry Cayton, Nori Graham & James Warner

Caring for the Person with Dementia: A Guide for Families and Other Carers – Alzheimer’s Society

The Simplicity of Dementia: A Guide for Family and Carers – Huub Buijssen

Depression
Getting Through Depression with CBT: A Young Person’s Guide (Getting Through it) – Louise Dalton and Alice Farrington

Overcoming Depression and Low Mood: A Five Areas Approach – Chris Williams

Overcoming Mood Swings – Jan Scott

Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers – Janet Treasure

Getting Better Bit(e) By Bit(e) – Ulrike Schmidt & Janet Treasure

Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa – Christopher Freeman

Overcoming Binge Eating – Christopher Fairburn

Overcoming Weight Problems – Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert

General Mental Health
Getting Through It With CBT: a young person’s guide – Claire Holloway & Nicola Connolly
Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing the Way You Think – Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky

Life Coaching
90 Days to a New Life Direction: Find Your Own Blueprint for Success – Laura Berman Fortgang
Be Your Own Life Coach – Fiona Harrold
Life Coaching: A cognitive behavioural approach – Michael Neenan & Windy Dryden

Obsessions & Compulsions
Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – David Veale & Rob Willson

Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions (Overcoming common problems) – Frank Tallis

Relationships
Overcoming Relationship Problems: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques – Michael Crowe

Self Esteem / Assertiveness
10 Days To Great Self Esteem: 10 Easy Steps to Brighten Your Moods and Discovering the Joy in Everyday Living – David Burns

Assertiveness Step by Step – Windy Dryden & Daniel Constantinou

The Feeling Good Handbook – David Burns

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem – Melanie Fennell

Self Esteem: Simple Steps to Develop Self-worth and Heal Emotional Wounds – Gael Lindenfield

Self Esteem for Women – Lynda Field

A Woman in Your Own Right: Assertiveness and You – Anne Dickson

Sexual Abuse
Breaking Free: Help for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (Insight) – Carolyn Ainscough & Kay Toon

The Courage To Heal: A Guide For Women Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse – Ellen Bass & Laura Davies

Overcoming Childhood Trauma – Helen Kennerley

Sleep & Fatigue
Getting A Good Night’s Sleep – Fiona Johnston

Learn to Sleep Well – Chris Idzikowski

Overcoming Chronic Fatigue – Mary Burgess

Stress/Panic/Worry
How to Stop Worrying – Frank Tallis

Learn to Find Inner Peace – Mike George

Managing Stress (Teach Yourself) – Terry Looker & Olga Gregson

Overcoming Panic and Agoraphobia– Derek Silove

Panic Attacks: What they are, why the happen, and what you can do about them – Christine Ingham

Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) – Martha Davis et al

Trauma/PTSD
Overcoming Traumatic Stress: A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques – Claudia Herbert & Ann Wetmore

Mood Boosters

There are so many good “read books” to choose from and the enjoyment of the content is often very subjective but why not have a look at the following just to get you started!

Look Back in Hunger: The Autobiography – Jo Brand

The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

Trouble on the Heath (Quick Reads) – Terry Jones

Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson