My Favorite Mental Health Books

Less popular but equally helpful, the following are some books I have read and had qualms with. While many have benefited from these, no doubt, I didn’t find them worth my time and explain why, below. If you disagree, please (kindly!) share your thoughts.

• Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight – This is the sacred text on which the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement is built. That being said, the helpful insight was littered with explicit nutritional advice. The problem? The author is not a dietitian and the “advice “helpful” advice is triggering to those who have or are battling an eating disorder (particularly orthorexia). The focus on calories, fat, and unprocessed foods is shallow at best and harmful at worst. I recommend this book, but honestly: just skip the sections on nutrition entirely. They’re of little benefit and aren’t credible.
• Train Happy: An Intuitive Exercise Plan for Every Body – I very much enjoyed this book. However, I recommend this with caution because it does give specific training/movement guidance. For those who struggle with compulsive exercise and/or are obtaining from exercise during this point in recovery, it could be unhelpful.
• Goodbye Ed, Hello Me: Recover from Your Eating Disorder and Fall in Love with Life – Despite the popularity of Jenni’s books, I have found them to be lacking. From a secular standpoint, they appear helpful. Here’s the thing though: Jenni pitches herself as a Christian. Yet, this book is in flagrant opposition to some fundamental Christian truths. Jenni touts ideas like “fall in love with yourself more than anyone or thing else” and “disregard anyone else’s opinion of you because you define yourself and what’s right for you.” Such ideas are not in line with the gospel and aren’t helpful for a Christian seeking freedom from an eating disorder. They merely transfer idolatry from control to pride/self. I honestly don’t recommend this one, but read it if you must.