The SANE Blog
Nine great books about living with mental illness
Reading can be a tremendous source of solace as we navigate the ups and downs of life. Books that contain characters we relate to can provide a way to transcribe the messiness in our minds and understand other people's emotions.
Mental illness can sometimes make it challenging to find the concentration required to read, but these nine books are worth the effort. As great books do, they teach us new ways of seeing ourselves and the world. They help you remember you're not alone; that others have gone through similar struggles and survived.
1. A Beautiful Mind – Sylvia Nasar
The powerful story of a mathematical genius whose brilliant career was cut short by schizophrenia and who, after living with intense delusions for the better part of 30 years, was honoured with a Nobel Prize.
At 400+ pages, it's not a light read – but it's worth the effort. It was also adapted as a film starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly that won multiple awards.
2. Back, After The Break – Osher Günsberg
SANE patron Osher's passion for mental health is undeniable, and in this incredibly raw and candid memoir, he reveals the extent of his struggle with mental health throughout his radio and television career.
Osher has experienced anxiety, depression and psychosis, as well as substance abuse, body dysmorphia and obsessive compulsive disorder. He has found ways to manage his condition and live a full, well-connected life. Worth reading for the droll footnotes alone!
3. Everything Here Is Beautiful – Mira T. Lee
One sister starts hearing voices while the other struggles with finding a way to support and protect her in this novel about how mental illness impacts the lives of friends, family members and carers of the person with the diagnosis.
Honest, realistic, heartfelt and compelling, it explores the bonds of familial love as well as the often-devastating effects of mental illness.
4. An Angel At My Table: The Complete Autobiography – Janet Frame
Janet Frame was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age and spent eight years in mental hospitals in New Zealand. She was given a primitive form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and was about to have a lobotomy when a hospital official read that she had won a literary prize.
She was released and later, a panel of psychiatrists determined that she had never had schizophrenia. She spent the rest of her life exploring the concept of 'madness' in novels, poetry and this three-part autobiography.
5. Defying The Verdict: My Bipolar Life – Charita Cole Brown
During her final semester of college, Charita Brown experienced a psychotic episode frighteningly reminiscent of her grandmother's own breakdown and hospitalisation.
Afterwards, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Charita details her struggle after her diagnosis in this memoir — a life full of love, hope, and success.
6. The Surprising Power Of A Good Dumpling – Wai Chim
When we first meet Anna Chiu, she is pretty busy helping out with her dad's restaurant and looking after her younger siblings, while her mum is dealing with psychosis. As romance blossoms between Anna and the new delivery boy at work, and things get harder at home, everyone comes to find new understandings of themselves and each other.
Wai Chim's story of a young carer growing up explores the idea that healing from mental illness can be about understanding, hope and love - even when things aren't perfect.
7. Imagine Me Gone – Adam Haslett
Adam Haslett's second novel explores the idea that a child with a depressed parent may be genetically predisposed to depression, as well as what it's like to battle this 'beast' from childhood.
He writes with dark and persuasive humour and a whole lot of heart. Ultimately, this book examines the very precariousness of existence: 'how narrowly we all avoid having never been'.
8. Darius The Great Is Not Okay – Adib Khorram
Written for young adults, this book is a fantastic read for any age. The young protagonist, Darius Keller, is making his first-ever trip to Iran, where he gets to know not only his grandparents, but Sohrab, who becomes his first true friend.
Exploring themes of family and friendship, Adib Khorram also shows us the small, everyday moments that can make up a person's experience of depression. It's both hilarious and heartbreaking at times.
9. First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety – Sarah Wilson
Sarah Wilson is a journalist, ex-reality TV host, sugar-quitter and author whose life has been impacted by insomnia, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, mania and bipolar disorder.
This book delves into the scientific research, facts and figures behind anxiety disorders as well as Sarah's individual experience and coping strategies. She recommends consciously exploring anxiety and accepting it to discover what it can teach you about the beauty of life.
To find more book recommendations and connect with others who get it, check out the Social Spaces on our Forums, where people are chatting about books, hobbies and more.
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