Top 10 Self-Help Books Archived from 2006
These are the most-requested books by visitors to the Guide to Self-Help Books in 2005 and 2006.
Number 1
The ever-escalating costs of anger are well documented: sabotaging careers, alienating friends and family, triggering illness, causing bodily harm. Written bytwo well-regarded experts in the field, The Anger Control Workbook introduces a new and radically simplified approach to 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 2
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 3
Since its first publication in 1987, this Self-Help 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 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 4
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
Number 5
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
Number 6
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
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
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 9
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 10
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
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
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 12
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
Number 13
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 14
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
Number 15
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 16
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
Number 17
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
Number 18
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 19
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 20
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
