Top 10 Self-Help Books Archived from 2007
These are the most-requested books by visitors to the Guide to Self-Help Books in 2007.
Number 1
Since its first publication in 1987, this book has been the first choice of therapists and savvy readers looking for a comprehensive self-care approach to improving self-image, increasing personal power, and defining core values. This self-help book has helped millions of readers feel better about themselves, achieve greater success, and enjoy their lives to the fullest. 2000, New Harbinger, 3rd edition
Number 2
The ever-escalating costs of anger are well documented: sabotaging careers, alienating friends and family, triggering illness, causing bodily harm. Written by two well-regarded experts in the field, The Anger Control Workbook introduces a new and radically simplified approachto anger control. Step- by-step exercises will aid the reader in identifying, understanding, responding to and ultimately coping with their hostile feelings. 2000, New Harbinger
Number 3
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
Bourne teaches specific self help skills for overcoming problems with panic, anxiety and phobias. There is information on the appropriate use of medications and herbal supplements. This is a practical and highly regarded self-help resource on the treatment of anxiety. 2015, New Harbinger, 6th edition, revised
Read David's extensive Book Review on The Anxiety and Phobia WorkbookNumber 4 (Tie)
Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-Up's Guide to Getting over Narcissistic Parents
Millions of adults grew up with immature, self-absorbed parents who made their children responsible for their physical and emotional well-being, expected admiration and constant attention, and reacted with criticism and blame when their slightest need went unmet. In this accessible Self-Help book, Brown helps grown children come to terms with the results of such an upbringing, including tendencies to overcomply to others needs,withdraw when someone needs nurturing and lack self esteem. 2008, New Harbinger
Mind Your Heart: A Mind/Body Approach to Stress Management, Exercise and Nutrition for Heart Health
Casey and Benson offer a balanced and holistic approach to heart health that combines lifestyle changes with cutting edge medical procedures. With this program you can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, lose weight, increase physical fitness and help prevent and manage heart disease. 2004, Free Press
Number 5 (Tie)
Why Is It Always About You?: The 7 Deadly Sins of Narcissism
Hotchkiss explains how to cope with controlling and egotistical people who are incapable of the fundamental give and take that sustains healthy relationships. She shows how to recognize the hallmarks of unhealthy narcissism: shamelessness, magical thinking, arrogance, envy, entitlement, exploitation and bad boundaries. 2003, The Free Press
Stepcoupling: Creating and Sustaining a Strong Marriage in Today's Blended Family
Blending two existing families into one cohesive whole is the challenge facing millions of remarried Americans today. Different parenting styles, finances, relationships with ex-spouses, legal matters -- all can chisel away at your union if you don't always make your marriage a priority. This invaluable remarriage self-help manual can help you make your stepcouple the foundation of a strong, happy, and successful stepfamily. 2002, Three Rivers Press
Dr. Burns presents innovative, clear and compassionate methods to help the reader identify the causes of mood slumps and develop a more positive outlook on life. This self-help book emphasizes that negative feelings do not result from the bad things that happen to you but from the way you think about these events. Burns provides a ten-step program to self-esteem; the book is filled with logs, charts and step-by-step guides. 1999, HarperCollins
The Self-Esteem Workbook presents a course in self-esteem based on new research and sound principles. Checklists, fill-ins, and exercises show readers how thoughts, emotions, physical health, and behavior impact their self-esteem. Periodic check-ups help them gauge their progress, and final sections offer strategies for preventing relapse. 2001, New Harbinger
Number 6
Blending Families: A Guide for Parents, Stepparents, and Everyone Building a Successful New Family
Today more Americans are part of a second marriage family than a first. These newly blended families are confronted with special challenges -- emotional, financial, disciplinary, and interpersonal. This problem-solving self-help guide offers solid solutions and includes real-life stories from families who have been through the adjustment process. 1999, Berkley Publishing Group
Number 7
This self help book offers a simple and easy to understand discussion of how to use the principles and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapies to help control anxiety, depression, moods and build self-esteem in your life. 2011, New Harbinger, 4th edition
Number 8
Getting Through the Day: Strategies For Adults Hurt as Children
Napier presents practical approaches to dealing with the long-lasting consequences of childhood abuse, particularly dissociation, or "checking out". This survival technique helped many children survive overwhelming childhood experiences, but often poses problems in adult life. This self-help book teaches many effective strategies for meeting the demands of adult living while working through the wounds of childhood. 1994, Norton
Number 9
Coping With Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner and Have Great Sex
Metz and McCarthy are leading experts in premature ejaculation. This self-help book explores a multi-dimensional, bio-psychological approach to dealing with this problem and strengthening your sexual relationship. Many myths of male sexual performance and male sexual desire are explained. The authors teach about the different types of premature ejaculation and provide assessment exercises for the reader to determine which type of PE he suffers with. The authors suggest structured symptom-specific treatment strategies based on psychological, relational, and physiological techniques. Designed as a resource for couples, this book is a powerful tool for creating support and positive change in your relationship. 2004, New Harbinger
Number 10
This self-help book offers a focused way to deal with the agonizing decision about staying in, or getting out of a troubled relationship -- one critical issue at a time. The book is sympathetic and filled with anecdotes that show how other people have responded to similar problems. 1997, Plume Books
Bonus: Next Top 10 Self-Help Books!
As an added bonus, we are including the next top 10 books requested on The Guide to Self-Help Books.
Number 11
The Emotionally Abused Woman: Overcoming Destructive Patterns and Reclaiming Yourself
If you feel unfairly criticized, controlled by others, or are afraid of being lonely, you could be suffering from emotional abuse. This compassionate self-help source book guides you through a step-by-step recovery process to help you heal the damage done in the past. 1992, Ballantine Books; Reissue edition
Number 12 (Tie)
Rekindling Desire: A Step-by-Step Program to Help Low-Sex and No-Sex Marriages
Sex and marital experts Barry and Emily McCarthy offer a ground-breaking ten-step program to help couples break down the barriers that have developed between them and rebuild closeness and longing. First they show couples how to root out the “poisons” that inhibit sexual desire: shame, guilt, anger, and passivity as well as medical side effects and physical dysfunctions. They then offer techniques and strategies to help couples revitalize desire and integrate intimacy and eroticism. 2013, Brunner-Routledge, 2nd edition
Bodylove: Learning to Like Our Looks and Ourselves -- A Practical Guide for Women
This self-help book is for women who want to become less critical about their appearance, less preoccupied with weight and more in love with themselves -- physically, sexually, and emotionally. Combining vivid case histories, practical techniques and simple exercises for moving from body-loathing to body-love, the book addresses family expectations, self-esteem, aging and social values. 2002, Gurze Books
Number 13
The Drama of the Gifted Child: the Search for the True Self
This well-known and classic self-help book demonstrates how narcissistic parents unwittingly use their children to meet their own needs, thus negatively affecting the children's development. By gifted, Miller means sensitive and alert to the needs of others; she believes that the sensitivity and empathy of gifted children predispose them to be used by people with narcissistic needs. This timely book has helped many people reclaim their lost childhoods. 1981, Basic Books
Number 14 (Tie)
According to noted psychologist Seligman, thirty percent of American children suffer from depression. His studies demonstrate that pessimistic children are at much higher risk for becoming depressed than optimistic children. His purpose in this self help book is to teach parents how to instill in their children a sense of optimism and personal mastery. He proposes that self esteem comes from mastering challenges, overcoming frustration, and experiencing individual achievement. This self help book offers a concrete plan of action based on techniques of self-evaluation and social interaction. 1996, Perennial
This highly ranked self-help book offers positive approaches for helping couples make sense of their difficulties and work to make their relationship successful. Gottman’s principles for successful marriage include turning toward each other instead of away, letting your partner influence you, moving through conflict and creating shared meaning. 2000, Three Rivers Press
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness
Salzberg focuses on the Buddhist meditation practice that emphasizes feelings of love, happiness and compassion and offers practical guidance in performing this type of meditation. 2002, Shambhala
Finding Our Fathers: How a Man's Life Is Shaped by His Relationship with His Father
This Self-Help book examines the hidden struggle faced by millions of men: how to reconcile their childhood images of their fathers – and of all men – as silent, stoic breadwinners with the life they want to live now: embracing two-career marriages, closer ties with their children, and greater emotional awareness. Harvard psychologist Osherson shows you how your “unfinished business” with your father affects your relationships, your children, friends, and bosses – and how it can lead to a profound sense of loneliness, vulnerability, and rage. Osherson shows how you can resolve the inner conflict of the father-son relationship and develop a new sense of strength and purpose in your family life and career. 2001, McGraw Hill
Using simple metaphors from The Wizard of Oz, Payson illustrates how Dorothy's journey captures all the seductive illusions and challenges that occur when we encounter the narcissist. She empowers the reader with the ABCs of unhealthy narcissism and provides step-by-step practical tools to identify, protect, and heal from these destructive relationships. 2002, Julian Day Publications
Number 15 (Tie)
The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook
This sixth edition Self-Help classic offers many self-assessment tools and calming techniques to help overcome anxiety and promote physical and emotional wellbeing. It presents a comprehensive look at stress, its physical manifestations and the multiple ways it can be managed. Chapters on breathing, relaxation, meditation, thought stopping, stress management, time management, assertiveness training, and body awareness offer the reader focused approaches to dealing with the many varieties of stress. 2008, New Harbinger
The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond
The author interviews forty verbally abused women and describes categories of verbal abuse with clear examples of effective responses to the different types of abuse. 1996, Adams Media
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Seligman says that pessimists believe that bad events are their fault, will last a long time and undermine everything. Optimists, on the other hand, believe that defeat is a temporary setback or a challenge. In this Self-Help book, he teaches the skills of changing from pessimism to optimism which will enable you to take charge, resist depression, feel better and accomplish more. 2006, Vintage
Angry All The Time: An Emergency Guide To Anger Control
This major update of the best-selling Self-Help classic on anger management teaches readers to understand and manage episodes of uncontrolled anger. The book gives clear and concrete direction for things a person can do to begin to bring anger under control. 2005, New Harbinger Publications; 2nd edition
Awakening From the Deep Sleep: A Powerful Guide for Courageous Men
Psychologist Rob Pasick challenges men to wake up from the condition of distance and isolation that results as they are confined to the stereotyped male attitudes and behaviors American society expects of them. He offers pragmatic and helpful ideas to help men identify and trust emotion, to connect comfortably with other men, and to approach sexuality in relationships with women with clearer eyes. 1993, HarperCollins
Beyond Anxiety and Phobia: A Step-by-step Guide to Lifetime Recovery
True recovery from anxiety symptoms requires understanding the meaning of those symptoms and going deeper to face their underlying sources in a fundamental way. This Self-Help book provides an array of strategies including alternative therapies such as herbs, yoga, massage, acupuncture and homeopathy; and addresses the impact of perfectionism and other personality issues. 2001, New Harbinger
Number 16 (Tie)
Breaking the Patterns of Depression
Depression is the most common psychological problem in America. The first part of this Self-Help book explains the causes of depression, its diagnosis, and its treatment with psychotherapy as well as antidepressant medications. The second part explains the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that signal depression. Yapko uses case histories as well as more than 100 exercises to assist the reader in building the skills needed to manage depression. While there are many other titles on depression management, this book departs from the widely-held view that depression is mainly a biochemically-based disease treatable with medication. 1998, Main Street Books
The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms
This self help workbook offers the most effective tools and strategies to help readers conquer trauma-related symptoms such as flashbacks, recurring memories, nightmares, frightening thoughts, emotional numbness, sleep disturbances, poor concentration, depression, anxiety, and irritability or outbursts of anger. Assessment tools help readers determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their symptoms, and learn the most effective techniques and interventions they can use to overcome them. 2013, New Harbinger, revised edition
This landmark book on human sexuality makes the sacred lovemaking techniques of the East fully comprehensible to western readers. Elegantly illustrated and filled with detailed exercises, it helps the reader acquire new attitudes and broaden his or her range of experience. This self help book is especially strong on methods for couples to revitalize and strengthen their relationship. 1991, Jeremy P. Tarcher
Number 17 (Tie)
After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful
For the seventy percent of couples who have been affected by extramarital affairs, this Self-Help book offers strategies for surviving the crisis and rebuilding the relationship. Dr. Spring, a psychologist, guides both hurt and unfaithful partners through the three stages of healing: normalizing feelings, deciding whether to recommit, and revitalizing the relationship. The book offers practical advice to help you cultivate trust and forgiveness and build a healthier partnership. 1997, Perennial Currents
Anxious 9 to 5: How to Beat Worry, Stop Second Guessing Yourself, And Work With Confidence
Anxiety, worry, perfectionism, self-defeating thoughts and fears of failure in the workplace can hold you back from achieving the success you deserve, despite how hard you work. This Self-Help book offers simple and effective techniques to get your workplace anxiety under control once and for all so you can enjoy work and be more productive. 2006, New Harbinger
Coping with Erectile Dysfunction: How to Regain Confidence and Enjoy Great Sex
With a therapeuticaly integrated technique and a unique couple centered approach, two of America's most prominent sex therapists offer men and their partners the most effective solutions available to overcome erectile dysfunction. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 15 and 30 million men experience chronic erectile dysfunction. 2004, New Harbinger
Number 18
Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido
Low libido is the most common sexual disorder in American women, affecting an estimated 22-43% of the population. Goldstein, a gynecologist, and Brandon, a clinical psychologist, say the problem is more complex than most therapists realize. "The collection of factors that influences a woman's sex drive is as unique as the woman herself." The authors advocate a holistic approach that address four spheres of a woman's life: physical health, emotional resilience, intellectual fulfillment and spiritual contentment. This book is a practical, open-ended discussion about women's sexual desire. 2009, Rodale Books
Number 19
Seligman states that trying to fix weaknesses doesn't help; rather, incorporating strengths such as humor, originality and generosity into everyday interactions with people is a better way to achieve happiness. This Self-Help book provides practical tools including self-tests and exercises for the conscious pursuit of happiness. 2004, Free Press
Number 20
Beginning To Heal: A First Book for Men and Women Who Were Sexually Abused as Children
Based on the author's best seller, The Courage to Heal, this book takes the reader through the key stages of the healing process, from crisis times to breaking the silence, grief, and anger, to resolution and moving on. It includes compelling accounts of survivors' pain, their strength and their triumphs. 2003, Perennial Currents
